Reading literature (fiction) allows students to learn about other lives and times that relate to their own personal experiences. In this strand, students will ask and answer questions about key details (characters, setting, plot), along with retelling
what they have read. Literature (fiction) helps readers learn important life lessons through the lives of the characters, comparing their own experiences with the experiences of the characters they read about. Reading literature (fiction)
allows us to learn to appreciate the beauty of the language, and to be articulate speakers and writers.
Before gaining deeper meanings, such as making logical inferences or drawing conclusions, readers must grasp the central details, characters, events, and ideas from the text. importance of analyzing details and content that may be presented in a variety of formats. By drawing on the central details and facts of the text, skilled readers draw logical inferences and conclusions, or extend the themes of the present text to other literary settings.
Third grade students must read widely and deeply from among a broad range of high-quality, increasingly literary texts. Through extensive reading of stories, dramas, poems, and myths from diverse cultures and different time periods, students gain literary and cultural knowledge as well as familiarity with various text structures and elements.
Continued work on reading comprehension standards will heighten student abilities to read more complex literature (fiction) text. Teachers use assessment and observation to determine if students are ready to progress to more challenging
reading selections. Each child is unique, so be flexible, and trust your judgment as you assist your child. Together teachers and parents can help students make better choices when selecting books to read. Not all selections children
read must be in the level suggested by assessment, these levels serve as a guideline. Sometimes high interest in a topic allows success in a more difficult text, and sometimes simple text is more inviting to our children, balance is important.
Increasing the frequency of reading is the highest predictor of success at any grade level. Building a child’s confidence, through successful experiences with reading, will encourage that desire to read more.Developing successful,
life-long readers is our ultimate goal.
How to Help Your Child At Home with the Literature Strand:
Read to your child often, and let him/her read books to you
Ask questions about what is being read
Go beyond just naming the character and setting, have your child describe the characters and settings with details(ex. "What character traits did the characters have?" (kind, mean, creative, patient, messy)? How do you know?)
Have your child retell a story they have read with the beginning, middle and end
Allow your child to re-read favorite books to build fluency, comprehension and confidence
Discuss favorite stories together and talk about the characters and messages the author is trying to teach or lessons the characters learned in the
story
Don't forget - poetry can be a great read aloud
Make regular visits to a public library to select literature (fiction) reading material
Strands are larger groups of related standards. The Strand Grade is a calculation of all the related standards. Click on the standard name below each strand to access the learning targets and proficiency scales for
each strand's related standards.
Grade 3
