As a parent, you know how important it is that your child succeeds in school. One way you can do this is by making sure they have mastered their spelling words each year.
It’s no secret that the ability to spell correctly will open the door to future academic success and help them face upcoming tests with confidence.
If your child is entering third grade soon, you may wonder what types of spellings are expected to be learned at this age level — and when they should start mastering these words.
Look no further: In this blog post, we’ll explore exactly what kinds of spellings are taught in the third grade so your little one can hit the ground running!
Related: For more, check out our article on What Grammar Is Taught In Third Grade here.
Third-Grade Spelling Curriculum
The third-grade spelling curriculum introduces students to various skills and concepts. They will learn to alphabetize words use contractions and increase their proficiency with compound words, blends, and homophones. Consonant doubling and the pluralization of words ending in Y is also covered.
Third graders participate in various spelling activities to make the learning experience more engaging. It is important to note that every child learns at their own pace, and parents can tailor the curriculum to suit their child’s needs. Time4Learning offers self-paced, modularized lesson plans that allow skipping or repeating lessons as needed.
Spelling skills are a crucial component of a comprehensive language arts program. Children should be interested in words through reading and writing, study spelling rules, and play spelling games to develop solid foundational skills.
Related: For more, check out our article on How To Improve Writing In Third Grade here.
Ways Parents Can Help Their Third Grade Children Learn Their Spellings
1. Encourage regular practice: Regular practice is critical to mastering spelling skills. Parents can help their children set aside a specific time each day for spelling practice.
2. Use interactive resources: Interactive resources like online games, flashcards, and educational apps can make learning fun and engaging for children.
3. Create word lists: Creating word lists focusing on specific spelling patterns can help children identify standard spelling rules and conventions.
4. Focus on high-frequency words: Children need to learn high-frequency words first as they are used frequently in written communication.
5. Use multisensory techniques: Multisensory techniques, like writing the words out, saying them out loud while writing, or tracing out the words on sand, can help children remember the spelling of words.
6. Read together: Reading with your child is a great way to expose them to new words and reinforce spelling rules.
7. Offer positive reinforcement: Encourage your child with positive reinforcement by praising their efforts and progress.
Related: For more, check out our article on What Science Is Taught In Third Grade here.
List of 100 Spellings for Third Grade Children
1. About
2. Above
3. After
4. Again
5. All
6. Along
7. Also
8. Always
9. Animal
10. Another
11. Answer
12. Any
13. At
14. Ball
15. Beautiful
16. Because
17. Before
18. Begin
19. Believe
20. Best
21. Better
22. Big
23. Birthday
24. Book
25. Both
26. Busy
27. Buy
28. Call
29. Can
30. Car
31. Careful
32. Carry
33. Catch
34. Change
35. Christmas
36. Church
37. City
38. Class
39. Clean
40. Close
41. Cold
42. Come
43. Could
44. Country
45. Cousin
46. Cover
47. Cry
48. Dad
49. Day
50. Dear
51. Decide
52. Deep
53. Delicious
54. Desk
55. Different
56. Does
57. Don’t
58. Door
59. Double
60. Down
61. Draw
62. Dream
63. Dress
64. Drink
65. Drive
66. Early
67. Easy
68. Eat
69. Eight
70. Eleven
71. Empty
72. End
73. Enough
74. Enjoy
75. Enter
76. Every
77. Excited
78. Eye
79. Face
80. Fall
81. Family
82. Far
83. Fast
84. Favorite
85. Feel
86. Feet
87. Few
88. Finally
89. Find
90. Fine
91. Fire
92. First
93. Fish
94. Five
95. Floor
96. Flower
97. Fly
98. Follow
99. Food
100. Foot
How Can We Ensure Children Use Correct Spellings In Their Writing?
1. Encourage regular reading: Reading is essential for improving spelling skills. When children read, they become familiar with the correct spelling of words and are exposed to new vocabulary. Regular reading helps children understand the structure of written language and how words are spelt correctly.
2. Teach phonics: Phonics teaches children to read and spell by focusing on the relationship between sounds and letters. By teaching phonics, children learn to recognize the sounds that makeup words and how these sounds are represented by letters. This knowledge helps them to spell words more accurately.
3. Provide resources and tools: Spelling dictionaries, word lists, and spell-check tools can benefit children as they learn to write. Spelling dictionaries provide a quick reference for children to check the spelling of words they are unsure of. Word lists help children focus on specific spelling patterns, while spell-check tools offer real-time feedback as children write.
4. Make spelling fun: Children are more likely to learn when they are engaged and having fun. Games, activities, and contests can motivate children to learn and practice spelling skills. Fun games like word searches, crosswords, and spelling bees can make spelling practice more enjoyable.
5. Set a good example: Children learn by example, so modelling good spelling habits is essential. Parents and teachers should proofread their writing and correct mistakes to show children the importance of accurate spelling.
6. Practice, practice, practice: Practice is essential for mastering spelling skills. Encourage children to practice spelling by writing stories, emails, and letters. The more they practice, the better they will become at spelling.
7. Celebrate progress: Recognizing and celebrating a child’s progress, no matter how small, can be a powerful motivator and help keep children engaged in learning. Praise and positive reinforcement can help build a child’s confidence and inspire them to continue learning.
8. Get involved: Staying involved in a child’s education and offering support and encouragement can make a big difference. Parents and teachers can work together to help children develop strong spelling skills. Offering guidance, feedback, and support can help children feel more confident about their spelling abilities.
How Are Third Grade Spellings Different From Second Grade?
1. Vocabulary: Third-grade students have a larger vocabulary than second-graders and are introduced to more complex, multisyllabic words. These words require more advanced spelling skills as they may contain silent letters or unique letter combinations.
2. Homophones: Second-graders may have learned some basic homophones, but third-graders learn to differentiate between more complex homophones that can be difficult to distinguish, such as “pair” and “pear” or “allowed” and “aloud.” They must learn to spell each word correctly based on its meaning.
3. Consonant Blends: Second-graders may have learned some basic consonant blends like “bl,” “cl,” and “st.” In third grade, students learn more complex consonant blends, like “scr,” “spl,” and “str.” These blends can be challenging to spell as they involve multiple consonants in a single syllable.
4. Contractions: Third-grade students learn common contractions like “isn’t,” “can’t,” and “don’t.” They need to know how to properly spell these words in their written work; otherwise, their writing may appear unprofessional or uneducated.
5. Plurals: Second-graders typically learn how to form plurals by adding an “s” to the end of a word. In third grade, students learn to create plurals for words ending in “y” by changing the “y” to “i” and adding “es,” such as “cherries.” This requires a deeper understanding of spelling rules and patterns.
6. Syllables: Third-graders learn to break down words into syllables and determine where to divide words when spelling. This skill helps them to spell longer words more accurately and also aids in their reading comprehension.
Third-grade spelling requires a better understanding of spelling rules, phonics, and vocabulary. These skills are essential to improve the accuracy and readability of their written work.
Spelling FAQ Section
Q: What is the best way to learn how to spell?
A: Regular practice is the best way to learn how to spell. Reading regularly, writing stories and letters, and playing spelling games effectively improve spelling skills. Additionally, learning phonics can help children recognize the sounds that make up words and improve their spelling ability.
Q: Why is spelling important?
A: Spelling is necessary because it helps ensure clear written communication. Accurate spelling also contributes to adequate reading comprehension. Poor spelling can detract from a writer’s credibility, making their work appear unprofessional or uneducated.
Q: How can I help my child with spelling?
A: Parents can help their children with spelling by encouraging regular reading and writing, practising spelling through word games and activities, and being involved in their child’s education. Providing resources such as spelling dictionaries, word lists, and spell-check tools is also essential. Celebrating progress and offering positive reinforcement can be powerful motivators for children.
Q: How can I improve my spelling skills?
A: Improving spelling skills requires regular practice and a strong understanding of spelling rules and patterns. Learning phonics and studying spelling rules can be a useful starting point. Resources like spelling dictionaries, word lists, and spell-check tools can improve accuracy.
Q: What are some common spelling mistakes to avoid?
A: Common spelling mistakes to avoid include confusing homophones, misspelling irregularly spelt words like “Wednesday,” and adding unnecessary letters to terms. It’s vital to proofread your work carefully and use resources like word lists and spelling dictionaries to help avoid these mistakes.
