Third Grade Language Arts integrates reading, writing, and oral/visual communication. Students develop skills to decode words and build vocabulary. They use dictionaries, context clues, prefixes, suffixes, and root words. They read informational and literary texts and make a visit to the library. Students develop skills in distinguishing fact and opinion, comparison and contrast, and sequence of events. Using the writing process, they write sentences, letters, and paragraphs. All academic content standards and indicators are included in the third grade curriculum except Standard 8-1, cursive writing, and Standard 10-6, 7, using clear diction and tone, adjusting volume, and adjusting speaking content to academic needs. (back).