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Missouri Standards

Missouri 3rd Grade ELA Standards

All 27 Missouri English language arts standards for 3rd grade, each explained in plain English. The official wording is in Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's document, linked at the end of this page.

27 standards

Reading

11 standards
3.R.1.A
Explain how a story's pictures add to its words, draw conclusions backed by the text, summarize the plot and its lesson, and fix up confusion while reading.
3.R.1.B
Work out word meanings from affixes, context, and a dictionary, use homophones like their and there, and explain similes, metaphors, and analogies.
3.R.1.C
Explain how ideas in different stories and nonfiction compare and contrast, and how a text connects to events and experiences in the world.
3.R.1.D
Read third grade books on their own for longer stretches and different purposes, and show evidence of their reading, like a journal entry.
3.R.2.A
Summarize a plot and how early events shape later ones, describe characters' traits and changing bonds, state the theme, and compare their view with the narrator's.
3.R.2.B
Use alliteration, like silly snakes slither, and name basic poem forms such as haiku, limerick, and free verse.
3.R.2.C
Explain how a script reveals plot, setting, and characters through dialogue, and point out vivid words that appeal to the senses.
3.R.3.A
Explain why an author wrote a text, find facts that back the main idea, use text features to predict and locate facts, and follow and explain written steps.
3.R.3.B
Tell a biography from an autobiography and fact from opinion, notice what an author wants readers to think, and explain figurative and sound language.
3.R.3.C
Describe cause and effect and problems and solutions in a nonfiction text, use its pictures and words, name the author's purpose, and compare two texts on one topic.
3.R.4.A
Explain how a message changes across media, how design choices shape it, compare online writing customs, and identify the parts of a web page.

Reading Foundations

2 standards
3.RF.3.A
Decode longer words using spelling patterns, doubled consonants like hopping, prefixes, suffixes, and homophones, and read irregular sight words.
3.RF.4.A
Read third grade texts at a steady pace, accurately and with expression, using context to self-correct and rereading when needed.

Writing

8 standards
3.W.1.A
Pick a simple way to plan, like a list or a web, once the purpose and readers for the writing are known.
3.W.1.B
Draft several paragraphs around one main idea, with topic sentences backed by facts and details, varied sentences, a clear order, and a reader in mind.
3.W.1.C
With help, revise for main idea, focus, order, details, word choice, sentences, transitions, audience, and voice, then edit for grammar and spelling.
3.W.1.D
With help, use paper and digital tools, including typing, to publish writing and to work with others on it.
3.W.2.A
Write an opinion piece that takes a position, gives reasons linked by transitions, names the authors of sources, uses their own words, and ends with a conclusion.
3.W.2.B
Write to explain a topic using facts, definitions, and details in their own words, link ideas with transitions, and end with a concluding paragraph.
3.W.2.C
Write a real or imagined story or poem that sets the scene, introduces a narrator or characters, uses dialogue and description, and orders events with transitions.
3.W.3.A
Research a question of their own using books, websites, and interviews, check facts are accurate, take notes in their own words, list sources, and present findings.

Language

2 standards
3.L.1.A
Speak and write using regular and irregular verb tenses, subject and verb agreement, comparing words like taller and tallest, pronouns, and compound sentences.
3.L.1.B
Write neatly, use apostrophes for possessives, punctuate dialogue and letters, capitalize places and titles, spell plurals like ponies, and alphabetize to three letters.

Speaking/Listening

4 standards
3.SL.1.A
Follow listening rules, ask questions to check understanding, stay on topic, connect comments to what others said, and follow three-step directions.
3.SL.2.A
Show active listening with body language and eye contact, like turning toward the speaker and nodding, the way the class expects.
3.SL.3.A
Come to discussions having done the reading, draw on it to explore ideas, respond in ways that fit the setting, and share opinions about books.
3.SL.4.A
Give a presentation with clear ideas and details at an easy pace, using media or technology and vivid words like action verbs and similes.

The official Missouri documents

The plain-English lines on this page are EMStudio's own explanations of Missouri's standards, not the official wording, which Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education publishes in the documents above. Codes and strand names identify each standard.