In the third grade, our students begin the shift from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." As part of our non-fiction reading unit, third graders develop the skills needed to construct knowledge from texts, and they also practice critically thinking about the ideas presented in these texts. This involves many activities, including analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information as well as identifying main ideas and supporting details. The focus of this unit is to equip students with versatile skills that are applicable across subjects, which will make reading on all topics a more joyous and enriching experience. Additionally, students have the opportunity to explore topics that interest them, expanding their knowledge in areas they are passionate about. So, if you're curious about dinosaurs or baseball, feel free to ask a third-grader for some fascinating facts or informed opinions on these subjects!