Virginia SOL 3.LU
SOL Standard (Knowledge and Skills Cluster)
The student will use the conventions of Standard English when speaking and writing, differentiating between contexts that call for formal English and situations where informal discourse is more appropriate.
Virginia Standards of Learning for English
Cluster contents
Knowledge and Skills in This Standard
3.LU is a Standards of Learning standard. These are the knowledge and skills expectations under it.
- 3.LU.1.A
Produce, expand, and rearrange simple and compound sentences when speaking and writing.
- 3.LU.1.B
Distinguish between complete and incomplete sentences.
- 3.LU.1.C
Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives when speaking and writing.
- 3.LU.1.D
Form and use regular and irregular verbs when speaking and writing.
- 3.LU.1.E
Use subject-verb agreement in simple sentences.
- 3.LU.1.F
Eliminate double negatives when speaking and writing.
- 3.LU.2.A
Use commas in series, dates, addresses, and in greetings and closings of letters.
- 3.LU.2.B
Use apostrophes to form contractions and frequently occurring possessions in writing.
- 3.LU.2.C
Capitalize holidays, names, and places.
- 3.LU.2.D
Use learned spelling patterns when writing words, including high frequency words and grade level word analysis knowledge.
- 3.LU.2.E
Consult reference materials, including beginning dictionaries to check and correct spelling.
Teacher's field guide
What This Cluster Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students build and revise complete simple and compound sentences. They use correct adjectives, verbs, agreement, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. They also choose formal or informal language based on the audience.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student writes complete simple and compound sentences with correct verb forms, agreement, and comparative adjectives. The student edits capitals, commas, apostrophes, and spelling. The student also adjusts word choice for formal and informal settings.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat fragments as sentences or join ideas without a conjunction. Common errors include “more better,” “goed,” subject-verb mismatches, and double negatives. Students may use apostrophes for plurals, omit commas, or use casual language in formal writing.
How to Assess It
- Give this exit ticket: “Rewrite as a formal note: on monday my cousin lunch wasnt packed with no sandwitches apples or juice.” Students correct grammar, capitals, spelling, apostrophes, and commas.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs word and punctuation cards to build complete sentences, combine two with a conjunction, then repair one incomplete sentence.
Ask students to write the same request to a friend and the principal, then discuss which words sound formal or informal.
Play an editing relay: teams correct capitalization, agreement, negatives, commas, apostrophes, and spelling in one sentence at a time.
Have students write and address a thank-you letter, including the date, greeting, closing, place names, and a correctly punctuated list.
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Printable 3.LU Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.LU, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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