Third grade expectations have changed!  It’s a pivotal year because children are beginning to move from  learning to read to reading to learn. If students have a strong language foundation then the transition is not difficult, but children struggling with reading, vocabulary development or comprehension will have a hard time.

Here is ASHA’s  3rd grade communication goals list

Listening

  • Listen attentively in group situations
  • Understand grade-level material

Speaking

  • Speak clearly with an appropriate voice
  • Ask and respond to questions – Can they ask yes/no and what where questions?
  • Participate in conversations and group discussions – Can they follow a conversation and add to the conversation appropriately
  • Use subject-related vocabulary- Do they use a variety of words including names and not rely heavily on words like thingy or it’s?
  • Stay on topic, use appropriate eye contact, and take turns in conversation – Can they follow a conversation and add to the conversation appropriately
  • Summarize a story accurately – Can your child tell a story accurately?
  • Explain what has been learned – Can they explain something they have learned?

Reading

  • Demonstrate full mastery of basic phonics
  • Use word analysis skills when reading
  • Use clues from language content and structure to help understand what is read
  • Predict and justify what will happen next in stories and compare and contrast stories
  • Ask and answer questions regarding reading material
  • Use acquired information to learn about new topics
  • Read grade-level books fluently (fiction and nonfiction)
  • Reread and correct errors when necessary

Writing

  • Plan, organize, revise, and edit
  • Include details in writing
  • Write stories, letters, simple explanations, and brief reports
  • Spell simple words correctly, correct most spelling independently, and use a dictionary to correct spelling
  • Write clearly in cursive

Ways to help your child build strong communication skills

  • Continue to encourage reading; find reading materials that are of interest to your child
  • Encourage your child to form opinions about what he or she hears or reads and relate what is read to experiences
  • Help your child make connections between what is read and heard at school, at home, and in other daily activities
  • Talk aloud as you help your child understand and solve problems encountered in reading material
  • Help your child recognize spelling patterns, such as beginnings and endings of words (e.g., pre- or -ment)
  • Encourage your child to write letters, keep a diary, or write stories
  • Limit screen time to encourage independent reading and real time social interactions

3rd grade communication goals can be an important guideline to help parents understand what skills their children need to be successful in school.

Additional info

ASHA‘s 5th grade communication goals

 

Published by Kai Long

Kai currently lives in MA and is interested in collaborating with others to develop a deeper understanding of our speech and language needs.