In grade three, students learn cursive (or joined italics) writing through instruction in letter
formation and connections (L.3.2j). They practice and refine their developing skill in authentic writing
activities. Legible handwriting not only allows students to read their own work but to read others’
work. In grade three, students also begin to acquire keyboarding skills (W.3.6); keyboarding is given
more attention in grades four and five. Importantly, as noted in the grade-two discussion, the more
the mechanics of writing (that is printing, cursive, and keyboarding) become effortless, the more
students can focus on developing and communicating their ideas (Graham, and other 2012).
Spelling instruction focuses on word families, position-based spellings, syllable patterns, ending
rules, and meaningful word parts. See spelling discussions in the overview of the span and the grade-
two sections of this chapter.
Figure 4.25. Language Conventions in Grade Three
Language Standard 1
(conventional grammar and usage in
speaking and writing)Language Standard 2
(conventional capitalization, punctuation,
and spelling in writing)a. Explain the function of nouns, pronouns,
verbs, adjectives, and adverbs in general
and their functions in particular sentences.
b. Form and use regular and irregular plural
nouns.
c. Use abstract nouns.
d. Form and use regular and irregular verbs.
e. Form and use the simple verb tenses.
f. Ensure subject-verb and pronoun-
antecedent agreement.
g. Form and use comparative and superlative
adjectives and adverbs, and choose
between them depending on what is to be
modified.
h. Use coordinating and subordinating
conjunctions.
i. Produce simple, compound, and complex
sentences.
j. Write legibly in cursive or joined italics,
allowing margins and correct spacing
between letters in a word and words in a
sentence.
k. Use reciprocal pronouns correctly.a. Capitalize appropriate words in titles.
b. Use commas in addresses.
c. Use commas and quotation marks in
dialogue.
d. Form and use possessives.
e. Use conventional spelling for high-
frequency and other studied words and for
adding suffixes to base words.
f. Use spelling patterns and generalizations in
writing words.
g. Consult reference materials, including
beginning dictionaries, as needed to check
and correct spellings.360 | Chapter 4 Grade 3