3rd Grade Writing Instruction
Units of Study
*this is not handwriting instruction
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Crafting True Stories
The Art of Information Writing
Changing the World
Once Upon a Time
Narrative
Information
In this unit students will:
 Write about real or imagined
experiences or events. (3.W.3)
 Bring a story to life with details
describing talk, actions,
thoughts, & feelings. (3.W.3b)
 Write a beginning and ending
using action, talk, setting, or
feeling. (3.W.3)
 Tell a story in order using
temporal words. (3.W.3)
 Choose words that make
sense and help the reader
picture the story. (3.L.1, 3 & 6)
In this unit students will:
 Write a piece that teaches
readers about a topic. (3.W.2)
 Use information in writing, such
as facts, definitions, & details.
(3.W.2)
 Write an introduction and
conclusion to the topic. (3.W.2)
 Use words to show sequence
or that the author has more to
say. (3.W.2)
 Choose words that show the
author is an expert on the
topic. (3.L1 ,3 & 6)
You can help by:
 Brainstorm ideas of important
events in his or her life
 Have child talk about his or her
feelings during an event
 Have child retell stories using
temporal word (first, next, then,
last.)
 Read narrative text (stories)
with your child and talk about
how the author uses thoughts,
actions, feelings and talk
You can help by:
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Persuasive
In this unit students will:
 Write a piece that shares an
opinion. (3.W.1)
 Supply reasons that support
the opinion. (3.W.1)
 Write an introduction and
conclusion to the piece.
(3.W.1)
 Use words to connect the
different parts of the writing.
(3.W.1)
 Choose words that convince
the reader to agree with the
writer’s opinion. (3.L.1,3,&6)
Narrative
In this unit students will:
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Write about imagined events.
(3.W.3)
Bring a story to life with details
describing talk, actions,
thoughts, & feelings. (3.W.3b)
Write a beginning and ending
using action, talk, setting, or
feeling. (3.W.3)
Tell a story in order using
temporal words. (3.W.3)
Choose words that make
sense and help the reader
picture the story. (3.L.1, 3 & 6)
You can help by:
Talk with your child about
things that interest them and
ask them to share details and
facts
Have your child talk you
through simple directions for
tasks such as washing hands,
tying shoes, etc.
Going to the library and
checking out nonfiction books
to read at home
You can help by:
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Have your child tell you about
his or her favorite things and
reasons why
Help your child distinguish
between fact and opinion
Ask your child to support their
opinions with multiple reasons
and examples
Help your child connect their
ideas with transition words
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Brainstorm ideas of important
events in his or her life
Have child talk about his or her
feelings during an event
Have child retell stories using
temporal word (first, next, then,
last.)
Read narrative text (stories)
with your child and talk about
how the author uses thoughts,
actions, feelings and talk
Across all units students will:
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Revise and edit writing with the help of adults and peers. (3.W.5)
Use grammar and punctuation rules appropriately (will develop throughout the year). (3.L.1 & 2)
Use spelling patterns and spelling resources to spell words (will develop throughout the year). (3.L.2)
Participate in collaborative conversations with partners. (3.SL.1)
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Writer’s Workshop: the structure of writing instruction
Mini lesson-a short lesson about 1 topic in writing
Independent work time and conferencing-writers need time to write/teacher meets with one student or a small group to give
personalized feedback
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Mid-workshop teach-a whole class time for the teacher to highlight good things students are doing in their writing
Share-students sharing parts or whole pieces of their writing