What Reading Level Should A Third Grader Be At?

Third grade is a crucial year in a child’s reading development. By this stage, children are expected to have moved from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” This means that third graders should have a solid foundation in phonics, fluency, and comprehension and be able to apply these skills to read more complex texts independently. Understanding what reading level a third grader should be at helps parents and educators monitor progress and provide the right support for continued growth in literacy.

In this article, we’ll explore typical reading levels for third graders, the skills they should develop during the year, and strategies to help them advance in their reading abilities.

Table of Contents

Understanding Reading Levels

Reading levels are a way to measure a child’s ability to decode words, understand text, and read fluently. These levels help determine what kinds of books are appropriate for a child at different stages of their reading development. The most commonly used reading level systems include Guided Reading Levels, Lexile Levels, and Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA).

Common Reading Level Systems:

Guided Reading Levels (GRL): This system uses letters A to Z, with A being the easiest and Z being the most difficult. By third grade, students generally read between Level M and Level P.
Lexile Levels: Lexile measures use a numerical system to rank texts based on difficulty. By third grade, children typically read books with Lexile Levels between 500L and 700L.
Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA): The DRA system uses numbers to indicate reading levels. Third graders generally read between Level 28 and Level 38.

It’s important to note that while these levels provide a general guideline, each child develops at their own pace. The goal is to ensure steady progress in reading skills rather than focusing solely on meeting a specific level.

What Reading Skills Should a Third Grader Have?

By third grade, children should be fine-tuning their fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary skills. This is the year when they begin to read more complex texts that require deeper understanding, critical thinking, and the ability to extract information from what they read.

Key Reading Skills for Third Graders:

Fluency

Fluency is the ability to read smoothly, accurately, and with appropriate speed and expression. By third grade, children should be able to read aloud with expression and intonation, paying attention to punctuation and using it to guide their reading.
They should also be able to self-correct when they make errors while reading, showing that they are monitoring their understanding of the text.

Comprehension

Comprehension is critical in third grade, as children are now reading to gain information. They should be able to:
- Summarize the main ideas of a text.
- Infer meaning from context or information that is not explicitly stated.
- Predict what might happen next in a story.
- Identify themes and main ideas in both fiction and non-fiction texts.
They should also be able to answer questions about the text, including who, what, where, when, why, and how.

Vocabulary Growth

Third graders should be significantly expanding their vocabulary and learning to use context clues to understand new words. They should also be able to recognize words with multiple meanings and understand synonyms and antonyms.
Exposure to a wide variety of books with different genres and topics helps enrich their vocabulary.

Understanding Different Genres

By third grade, children should be familiar with a variety of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, biographies, and informational texts. They should be able to differentiate between these genres and understand their unique characteristics.

Critical Thinking

Third graders should begin developing critical thinking skills when reading, such as:
- Making connections between the text and their own experiences.
- Comparing and contrasting characters, events, or ideas.
- Drawing conclusions based on evidence from the text.
- Evaluating the author’s purpose and considering how the text relates to real-world issues.

Typical Reading Levels by the End of Third Grade

Here’s a general guideline for reading levels by the end of third grade, based on different reading systems:

1. Guided Reading Levels:

Third graders typically progress from Level M to Level P.
Level M: Stories with more complex sentences and ideas, requiring comprehension of multiple characters and events.
Level P: Books with more challenging vocabulary, more sophisticated language, and deeper themes. At this level, children are expected to infer meaning and understand more nuanced concepts.

2. Lexile Levels:

Third graders generally read texts in the range of 500L to 700L.
500L: Books with basic storylines and vocabulary that align with second to third-grade reading abilities.
700L: More advanced books with layered plots and vocabulary designed for older elementary school readers.

3. DRA Levels:

Third graders typically progress from Level 28 to Level 38.
DRA Level 28: Texts with predictable sentence structures and some complexity in story elements.
DRA Level 38: Texts with more varied sentence structures, challenging vocabulary, and multiple character perspectives.

How to Support a Third Grader’s Reading Development

Parents and teachers play an important role in supporting a third grader’s reading development by providing opportunities for practice, exposure to different types of books, and encouraging critical thinking about what they read.

1. Encourage Daily Reading

Third graders should be reading for 20 to 30 minutes daily to build fluency and comprehension. This can include independent reading, reading aloud, or shared reading where you take turns.

Tip: Help your child find books that interest them. Whether it’s fantasy, mystery, or biographies, letting them choose books they enjoy encourages a love for reading.

2. Expose Them to Different Genres

Introduce your child to a variety of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, and informational texts. The more diverse their reading experiences, the more they will develop their comprehension and critical thinking skills.

Tip: Look for books that tie into your child’s interests, such as a biography of a favorite historical figure or a non-fiction book about animals they love.

3. Ask Open-Ended Questions

After your child finishes reading, ask them open-ended questions to encourage critical thinking and comprehension. Discuss the characters, main events, and theme of the story. Encourage them to make predictions, draw conclusions, or relate the story to their own life.

Tip: Ask questions like, “What do you think the main character learned in this story?” or “How does this story remind you of something in your life?”

4. Practice Vocabulary with Context Clues

When your child encounters an unfamiliar word, encourage them to use context clues to figure out the meaning. This helps build their vocabulary and problem-solving skills while reading.

Tip: Ask your child what they think the word means based on the surrounding text, and then confirm it by looking it up in a dictionary together.

5. Provide Opportunities for Discussion

Engage your child in conversations about the books they are reading. Ask them to summarize the story, share their favorite parts, or explain how they felt about a particular character. This reinforces comprehension and helps them think more deeply about the material.

Tip: Set up a family “book club” where everyone reads the same book and discusses it together.

When to Seek Additional Support

If your third grader is struggling with reading, it’s important to seek support early. Signs that they may need extra help include:

Difficulty decoding words or sounding out letters.
Struggling with fluency or reading very slowly.
Limited comprehension or inability to retell basic details from a story.

Avoidance of reading activities or frustration when asked to read.

If you notice these signs, speak with your child’s teacher or a reading specialist. Early intervention can help address reading challenges and prevent future difficulties.

Conclusion

By the end of third grade, children are typically reading at Level M to Level P (Guided Reading), 500L to 700L (Lexile Levels), or Level 28 to Level 38 (DRA). However, every child develops at their own pace, and the focus should be on progress rather than meeting a specific level.

To support your third grader’s reading development, encourage daily reading, expose them to a variety of genres, and engage them in discussions that promote critical thinking and comprehension. With the right support, third graders will continue to grow as confident and capable readers, ready to tackle more challenging texts as they progress through their educational journey.