During third grade, children are really flexing their “idea” muscles and learning to express those ideas in more sophisticated ways. Sentences are getting longer and more complex. Kids are learning to use a dictionary to correct their own spelling. Grammar improves; for example, you’ll see appropriate punctuation, contractions, and correct subject-verb agreement.
Third graders can write an essay with a simple thesis statement, examples and supporting details, and a thoughtful concluding sentence. They are building skills in the writing process — research, planning, organizing, revising, and editing (with help from teachers and peers).
Select the writing sample links at left to view real examples of third grade writing at different skill levels.
Featured video
Watch a lesson on sentence expansion (whole class)
In this writing lesson, Maria Bailey, a literacy support teacher at Riverside Elementary School in Toledo, Ohio, works with students on sentence expansion — adding details to make sentences more interesting and informative. Students answer the question “why?” with some help from the word “because” to elaborate on a simple idea. The lesson begins with the whole group, then students work in partners, and finally they write expanded sentences independently. In writing longer sentences, students build their understanding of sentence structure. (From our sister project Reading Universe )
The videos below were developed by Great Schools and used with permission.
What does 3rd grade writing look like?
Can your 3rd grader write an informational essay?
Can your 3rd grader do research for an essay?
Growing Writers
Join third grade teacher Shana Sterkin to see how she incorporates purposeful writing into her classroom every day, and strives to create a joyful, confident community of writers. Watch Growing Writers
Classroom strategies
Classroom Strategy
Semantic Gradients
Focus:
Comprehension, Vocabulary, Writing
When:
Before reading, During reading, After reading
Graphic organizers and other downloadables
Graphic organizers
- Describing Wheel
- Paragraph Frame
- Paragraph Hamburger
- Persuasion Outline
- Persuasive Words and Phrases
- Prewriting questions
- Pros and Cons Graphic Organizer
- RAFT Template
- Story structure using fairy tales: beginning, middle, and ending chart
- Sequence Chart
- Semantic Gradients Activities and Word List
- Sentence Combining Activity
- Sentence Combining Cards
- Transition words
Writing review checklists
Informal assessment
Writing
Writing Assessment
Guides and Toolkits
6+1 Trait® Writing Rubrics Grades 3–12
Writing
Student Checklist
Writing
Peer Editing
Learn more about writing in third grade
Guides and Toolkits
Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers
Shanahan on Literacy
Writing as a Response to Reading
Shanahan on Literacy
How Should We Combine Reading and Writing?
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology for Writing
Common Core Standards
Supporting Informational Writing in the Elementary Grades
Sound It Out
