CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.1

ELA3rd GradeConventions of Standard English

The Standard

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Language Standards

What This Standard Means

Students need to use grade-level grammar correctly when they write and speak. That includes clear sentences, correct subject-verb agreement, pronouns, regular and irregular verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and simple, compound, and complex sentences.

Mastery looks like students applying these choices in their own drafts and oral answers, not just fixing worksheets. Common trouble spots are verb tense shifts, unclear pronouns, sentence fragments, run-ons, and using casual speech patterns in formal writing.

Ways to Teach It

  • Hands-on: Give sentence strips with subjects, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, then have students build and revise complete sentences in pairs.
  • Prompt: Ask students to explain which sentence sounds clearer and why, using two teacher-written examples with one grammar issue.
  • Quick assessment: Have students correct three sentences and write one original sentence using the same grammar pattern.
  • Real-world connection: Bring in a short school announcement and have students revise it so the grammar is clear and formal.

Before This Standard

If students are struggling here, check these first.

Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.1

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What This Unlocks

Mastery here sets students up for these next.

Related Standards

Standard text verified against corestandards.org on July 10, 2026.

Page updated July 10, 2026.

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