Teaching Grade 3 Literacy, Post

Teaching Grade 3 Literacy

Grade 3 is the fourth year at school. Grade 3 is a year of transition. It is described as the start of Middle Primary School. So Teaching Grade 3 Literacy is an important turning point.

Children have put down the roots of good literacy habits. Children will recognise many high frequency words. They learned to decode texts with spelling patterns covered in the previous three years. For children who need some catch-up, the Grade 2 lesson packs on this site could be helpful. They usually focus on specific spelling patterns, such as ur or ai.


Suggested link. Focus spelling in the this Grade 2 lesson is  ir .   Focus in Annoying Boy is oy and oi spelling : “There In The Air” Literacy Grade 2     “Annoying Boy” Literacy Grades 2, 3    “Cloud Spotting” Science Literacy Grade 3


Suggestions for the non-teacher:

  • Read the text twice with your child. The first reading is for decoding. The second reading is for comprehension. An early learner cannot be expected to decode and comprehend well on one reading. If your child can do this then the text is not demanding enough.
  • Many children hurry through their reading.  They make mistakes. They often guess. They skip words. Children get an idea that reading well means reading fast. Encourage your child to slow down. Even a ruler under the line helps to guide your child’s vision.
  • Ask student to read the instruction aloud so you know that they have understood what they have to do. Some children rush into a task and begin to make mistakes.
  • So follow up with another reading of the text a few days later and then return to the tasks. Some children think that reading and completing activities is a memory task. By saying, “Let’s check the text and see what it says,” helps students to realize that the answer or the word is in the story.

This link may be useful:  Bee’s Knees Reading Method