Grade 3 • Language Arts • Decoding

Grade 3 Language Arts

Decoding

Decoding is the ability to apply your knowledge of letter-sound relationships, including knowledge of letter patterns, to correctly pronounce written words. Understanding these relationships gives children the ability to recognize familiar words quickly and to figure out words they haven't seen before.

What kids can do to help themselves

Play with magnetic letters. See how quickly you can put them in alphabetical order while singing the alphabet song.
Look at written materials around your house and at road signs to see if you can spot familiar words and letter patterns.
Write notes, e-mails, and letters to your friends and family. Represent each sound you hear as you write.
When you're trying to sound out a word, pay close attention to the print. Try to look at all the letters in the word, not just the first one or two.

What parents can do to help at home

Help your child make connections between what he or she might see on a sign or in the newspaper and the letter and sound work he or she is doing in school.
Encourage your child to write and spell notes, e-mails, and letters using what he or she knows about sounds and letters.
Talk with your child about the "irregular" words that he or she will often see in text. These are the words that don't follow the usual letter-sound rules. These words include said, are, and was. Students must learn to recognize them "at sight."
Encourage your child to try different ways to figure out words. Help your child by saying:
- What parts of the word do you recognize?
- Look for word parts at the beginning (prefix) and end (suffix) of words.
- Look for base words and familiar spelling patterns.
- Say the word parts fast. Adjust your pronunciation as needed. Ask, "Is this a word I have heard before?"
Resources
- Supporting Your Child's Reading at Home Links to an external site. (Activities and Videos)
- Tips for Supporting Reading Skills at Home Links to an external site.