Reading and Writing Achievement Standards Curriculum

The Writer
Rationale for Appropriate Achievement
Talent Show
Content
• selects a specific topic - the school’s annual talent show
• includes a series of related events, providing generally accurate information
• includes relevant details to expand the events (e.g., providing specific information about what
each performance entailed)
Organization
• decides upon a purpose and introduces it in the first line – The second annual Talent Show
was a big hit, and selects an appropriate form following some key organizational features of a
newsletter
• presents most ideas in a logical order
• links ideas with a variety of simple ordering and connecting words and phrases (e.g.,
unfortunately, At the last minute)
• includes text features (e.g., heading, salutation, P.S. and P.P.S)
• conclusion reflects a solid understanding of the form (e.g., A special thank you to Mrs. Doe
and Mrs. Somebody’s … We enjoyed Mrs. Doe’s tap dancing.)
Word Choice
• includes a few precise or interesting words or phrases with little repetition (e.g., annual,
unfortunately, pantomime)
• includes some descriptive vocabulary (e.g., standup comedy, recited, enjoyed)
Voice
• shows some awareness of audience according to purpose (e.g. maintains the flavour of a
newsletter)
• demonstrates knowledge of and interest in the event
• conveys personal style (e.g., Dear Families)
Sentence Structure
• includes complete sentence structures
• includes sentences that vary in length and beginnings; however, the information reads like a
listing and is quite mechanical
Conventions
• uses correct end punctuation in most sentences
• uses commas in a series and attempts the use of a colon (e.g., Here are some of the things
the students did for the talent show: …)
• includes the correct use of capital letters for proper nouns, first word in sentences, and the
pronoun “I”
• controls spelling with both high frequency and lesser known words (e.g., unfortunately,
annual, Boogie)
• attempts correct use of basic pronouns (e.g., Ian, Chris, Katie and I)
42 Achievement Standards End of Grade 3