Publishing, Speaking & Year Review

The big idea

Your child finishes the research report: adding a labeled visual, revising with a partner, editing and publishing a final copy. Then the focus moves to speaking: a 3-to-5-minute research talk with a visual aid, reader's theater, and a memorized poem performed with expression. The year closes with a portfolio of best work, a reflection, goals for fourth grade and a review of every unit.

Standards in plain words

• W.3.2 Writes informative pieces that introduce a topic, group facts and definitions, use linking words and end with a conclusion.
• W.3.5 With help, plans, revises and edits to make writing stronger.
• W.3.6 With adult help, uses technology to publish writing and to work with others.
• W.3.10 Writes regularly, both over longer projects and in a single sitting, for different purposes and audiences.
• SL.3.4 Reports on a topic, tells a story or recounts an experience with good facts and details, speaking clearly at an easy-to-follow pace.
• SL.3.5 Makes audio recordings of stories or poems read smoothly, and adds visuals to highlight facts or details.
• SL.3.6 Speaks in complete sentences when the situation calls for it.
• RF.3.4 Reads grade-level text accurately and smoothly, at a good pace and with expression, and rereads to fix mistakes.
• RL.3.7 Explains how the illustrations add to what the words say, for example by showing mood or a character.
• L.3.1 Uses correct grammar: parts of speech, plurals, verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, comparing words, joining words and different kinds of sentences.
• L.3.2 Uses capitals, commas, quotation marks, possessives and correct spelling, and checks spellings in a dictionary.
• RF.3.3 Uses phonics and word parts, including prefixes, suffixes and syllables, to read new words.
• SL.3.1 Takes part in discussions: comes prepared, follows the rules, asks questions, builds on others' ideas and explains their own.

Anchor texts

• Your child's own research report
• Beatrix Potter's 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' (public domain) for reading with expression
• Christina Rossetti's 'Who Has Seen the Wind?' (public domain) for memorizing and performing
• Original reader's theater script 'The Missing Library Book'
• Aesop's 'The Lion and the Mouse' (public domain) for the illustrated fable, and original review texts such as 'The Kite Contest' and 'Why Leaves Change Color'

Watch across the unit

• Watch for: Writing the whole report on note cards and reading it word for word.

  Try: Limit each card to about six words and have your child talk from the words, looking up at the end of each card.

• Watch for: Bringing old mistakes back when copying the final draft.

  Try: Put a check mark on the draft next to each sentence after it is copied.

• Watch for: Choosing only the newest pieces for the portfolio, or writing vague praise ('I got better').

  Try: Require one piece from early in the year and ask 'Which part shows that? Point to it.'