Writing goals can really fall under a large spectrum of needs, abilities, and types of goals. This specific reference is to help teachers with students who have high levels of communication and can at least form letters and words. Another article will be written on general writing goal banks. However, these goals still try to give some creative ideas to access the Common Core Standards while meeting students at their ability level. As always, be creative at reaching a child’s needs. Don’t fall back on the same three writing goals for every student.

3rd Grade Writing

Text Types and Purposes:

3.1 A-D

Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.

A. Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons.

B. Provide reasons that support the opinion.

C. Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons.

D. Provide a concluding statement or section.

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Advanced Goal: Student will be able to write three separate 1 paragraphs about their opinion with an introduction sentence, 3 reasons, 3 transition words, and a conclusion sentence, with an average accuracy rate of 90% across 3 paragraphs.

Simple Goal: Student will be able to use a word bank of transition words to fill in sample sentences across 4 out of 5 trials with an average accuracy rate of 90%.

Simple Goal: Student will be able to write three sentences to support their opinion that start with a capital, is on the line, and end with a period, with 60% accuracy across 9 out of 10 trials.

3.2 A-D

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

A. Introduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful to aiding comprehension.

B. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and details.

C. Use linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and, more, but) to connect ideas within categories of information.

D. Provide a concluding statement or section.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2

Advanced Goal: Student will be able to write a three paragraph report on a topic that includes an introduction, 3 or more facts, at least 3 transition words, and a conclusion section, with 7 out of 8 items correct with 80% accuracy across 3 trials.

Simple Goal: Student will be able to identify an appropriate introduction sentence for a given paragraph with 90% accuracy across 4 out of 5 trials.

Simple Goal: Student will be able organize 5-7 sentences into the correct order to create a paragraph on 5 out of 5 sentences correct with an average accuracy rate of 70% across 10 trials.

3.3 A-D

Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

A. Establish a situation and introduce a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally.

B. Use dialogue and descriptions of actions, thoughts, and feelings to develop experiences and events or show the response of characters to situations.

C. Use temporal words and phrases to signal event order.

D. Provide a sense of closure.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3

Advanced Goal: Student will be able to write 5 sentences about a story that happened to them or a pretend story that has an introduction and conclusion, with 6 out of the 7 items with an average accuracy rate of 80%.

Simple Goal: Student will be able to verbally tell a story that happened to them by having a beginning, middle, and end, with 3 out of 3 components with 70% accuracy.

Simple Goal: Student will be able to write a sentence with dialogue with correct punctuation across 2 out of 3 sentences with an average accuracy rate of 90%.

Production and Distribution of Writing:

Note: If you are in a district that requires you to link a standard with your goal, these more general writing goals are your best friend. These can be used with a plethora of goals.

3.4

With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.4

Sample Goal: Student will be able to complete an outline for a paragraph about a topic and for a narrative, with an average accuracy rate of 80% across 10 trials.

3.5

With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 3 here.)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.5

Sample Goal: Student will be able to use a graphic organizer to brainstorm ideas about a skill level reading before writing, on 4 out of 5 trials with an average accuracy rate of 70%.

3.6

With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.6

Sample Goal: Student will be able to type a 5 sentence paragraph (that has been pre-written) on a computer in under 15 minutes with correct punctuation, with 5 out of 5 sentences with an average 70% accuracy rate for 3 trials.

Research To Build and Present Knowledge:

3.7

Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.7

(This can be used with the goals under 3.2)

3.8

Recall information from experiences or gather information from print and digital sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided categories.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.8

Sample Goal: Using a graphic organizer, Student will be able to write three key ideas after reading a skill level informational text on 3 out of 3 details with an average accuracy rate of 70% across 10 trials.

No 3.9 in third grade.

3.10

Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

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Sample Goal: Student will be able to use a graphic organizer to check their writing for punctuation, spacing, capital letters, and clarity with 4 out of 4 elements across 10 trials with 75% accuracy.