THIRD GRADE READING CURRICULUM
The primary focus of the reading curriculum in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in
Kansas is to maximize the talents in our students so they may become proficient and
informed critical readers in God’s ever changing world.
STANDARD 1: READING
The student will read and comprehend text across the curriculum including Bible
Scripture.
Phonetic Clues
The student will:
1. Be able to:
Use rhyming words to make word families.
Apply long vowel rules.
2. Be able to use:
Consonant clusters
Consonant digraphs
Variant vowel sounds +
3. Distinguish:
r controlled vowels +
Hard/soft c and g +
Structural Analysis
The student will:
1. Identify and form:
Plurals +
Compound words +
Contractions +
2. Recognize base (root) words, suffixes, and prefixes.
3. Apply rules of syllabication to decode unfamiliar words. (see Appendix A)
Vocabulary
The student will:
1. Read the following basic sight words. +
about
cut
far
hold
Apostle
done
find
hot
better
draw
full
hurt
both
drink
gospel
if
bring
fall
got
keep
carry
clean
grow
liturgy
laugh
only
show
light
own
small
long
pick
spirit
much
rosary
start
myself
scripture
today
never
shall
together
2. Name and understand text by using:
Selection vocabulary
Vocabulary expansion across the curriculum
3. Determine word meaning by using:
Context clues e.g. definitions, restatements, examples ▲
Prior knowledge
Homophones/homographs
Synonyms/antonyms +
Word structure e.g. compound nouns, root words, prefixes, suffixes ▲
Comprehension
The student will:
1. Demonstrate comprehension of a written selection by applying the various
strategies listed below:
Literal
Inferential
Sequence
Main idea
Topic+▲
(unstated)
Main idea▲
Making
Recall details▲
inferences and
Cause/effect
drawing
Picture clues
conclusions▲
Compare/contrast▲
Pronoun referents
Compare/contrast
▲
Critical
Response
Fact/opinion
Retell a story▲
Prior knowledge
Generate questions
Drawing
Drawing/singing/acting
conclusions/generalizations Discussion
Evaluation/judgments
Writing
Author's purpose
Following written/oral
Visualization/imagery
directions
Problem solving
Summarizing
Paraphrasing
Links causes and
Identifies text structures of effects ▲
sequence,
problem/solution,
compare/contrast,
description, cause/effect ▲
Study Strategies
The student will:
1. Select and apply the following study strategies by developing oral meaning and
writing a simple report:
Alphabetize to the 3rd letter +
Locate words in dictionary/glossary
Interpret information from graphic aids (see Reading Framework)
Book Parts + (see Reading Framework)
Pause and reflect
Encyclopedia, atlas
Research
Note taking skills
Resource materials
Skim/scan
Technology
2. Transfer reading strategies across curricula.
Literature Components
The student will:
1. Analyze literature by using the various literature components:
Setting +
Main character ▲
Relationships between characters ▲
Problem/conflict
Character motivation
Plot: beginning, middle, end.
Literary Devices
Stylistic Devices
Refrain
Repetition +
Rhyme +
Dialogue
Rhythm
AlliteratOnomatopoeiaion
Figures of Speech Other
Personification
Simile
Hyperbole
Point of View
Theme
Genre
The student will:
1. Distinguish and recognize a variety of authors, cultures, and genre. (see Appendix
B)
Fiction
Nonfiction
Bible
2. Be able to identify different text type: narrative, expository, persuasion,
technical.
Reading Fluency
The student will:
1. Develop oral reading skills by practicing:
Expression
Projection
Fluency
Sustained oral reading
Sustained silent reading
Supplemental/Independent Reading
The student will:
1. Listen to, select, read, and respond to reading materials.
STANDARD 2: LITERATURE
The student will respond to a variety of text and identify Catholic moral values and/or
teaching of our Catholic faith.

Literature is infused with Catholic values. NCEA has developed a list of
books that promote Catholic values. See the NCEA Working Booklist.
STANDARD 3: WRITING
The student will write effectively for a variety of audiences, purposes, and contexts.

Writing is infused with Catholic values. See the Language Arts curriculum.
STANDARD 4: RESEARCH
The student will apply reading and writing skills to demonstrate learning.
The student will:
1. Use effective research practices.
2. Use ethical research practices.
+Denotes mastery (see Appendix B)