If you’ve been hearing the phrase “structured literacy” more and more lately, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most important shifts coming out of the Science of Reading movement—and it’s especially relevant for 3rd grade teachers.

So what does it really look like to teach with a structured literacy approach—and how do you fit it into an already packed reading block?

Let’s break it down.

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What Is Structured Literacy?

Structured literacy is a way of teaching reading that’s clear, step-by-step, and based on how the brain learns best.

• Explicit: Teachers clearly explain and show how to do each skill—nothing is left to guess.
• Systematic: Skills are taught in a specific order, starting with easy ones and building up to harder ones.
• Cumulative: Each new lesson builds on what students already know, so they keep growing stronger.
• Diagnostic: Teachers pay close attention and make changes if a student needs extra help.
• Multisensory: Students use their eyes, ears, voices, and hands to learn—this helps the brain remember better.

This method has been proven to work for all kids, especially those who struggle with reading, like students with dyslexia. With this approach, you’re setting your students up for success.

Want to see how these pieces connect to the bigger picture of how students become skilled readers? Check out this post on the Science of Reading Rope to learn more about how each strand supports comprehension and fluency over time.

If you’re looking for a way to make this part of your daily routine, a simple word study notebook or morphology notebook can be a great place to start.

What Does Structured Literacy Look Like in 3rd Grade?

By 3rd grade, most kids know the basics of phonics—but now the real challenge begins: making sure they can read and understand longer, trickier words and texts.

That’s where structured literacy really shines. You’re helping students move from just sounding out words to truly understanding what they read. And the best part? It doesn’t have to be complicated—just thoughtful and consistent.

A structured literacy block in 3rd grade might include:

• Daily morphology instruction—teaching prefixes, suffixes, and roots to unlock meaning in bigger words (This is where tools like a Morphology Notebook can really help—giving students structure, repetition, and space to make meaning stick.)
• Decoding practice with multisyllabic words—so students can read longer, unfamiliar words
• Fluency work with connected text—building confidence and smooth reading
• Explicit comprehension strategy modeling—showing students how to think while they read
• Knowledge-building read-alouds—exposing kids to rich vocabulary and important ideas

It’s not about cramming more into your day—it’s about choosing what works. Structured literacy helps every student grow as a reader, and you’re the one who makes that happen. Keep going—you’ve got this.

Sample 3rd Grade Structured Literacy Block (30–45 Minutes)

Wondering how this all fits into your day? Here’s an example of what a structured literacy block might look like in a real 3rd grade classroom. It’s focused, doable, and gives students the tools they need to become strong readers.

• 5–10 min: Word Study
  • Start with a prefix, suffix, or root word using something like a Morphology Notebook.
  • Talk about what it means and work through a few example words together.
• 10 min: Decoding & Fluency
  • Practice reading longer, multisyllabic words in real text.
  • Reread short passages to build speed and expression.
• 10–15 min: Comprehension Strategy Mini-Lesson
  • Teach one strategy clearly—like summarizing or making inferences.
  • Model it using a short text or during a read-aloud.
• 5–10 min: Independent or Small Group Practice
  • Let students try the strategy with a partner or in a short passage.
  • Meanwhile, you can meet with a small group for extra support or reteaching.

This kind of block keeps things focused, intentional, and manageable. You don’t have to do everything—but what you do teach can make a big difference. You’re building real reading skills—and you’re doing a great job.

How to Get Started

Structured literacy doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with one small, consistent routine—like daily word study. It gives students repeated exposure to meaningful word parts, and it’s easy to build into your day.

Real-Life Example: Word Study That Works

One of the easiest places to start is with morphology. Teaching students to break apart words and understand their parts helps with both decoding and vocabulary—and it’s perfect for 3rd graders.

In my classroom, I use a Morphology Notebook that gives students space to:

• Define weekly morphemes
• Break words into parts
• Create visuals and use words in context
• Practice independently or in small groups

It’s structured, easy to implement, and after a few weeks, students can complete most of it on their own. Plus, I’ve added Google Forms versions of the assessments so you can check progress with just a few clicks.

Check out the Morphology Notebook HERE if you want a no-prep tool to get started with structured literacy right away.

Why It Matters

Structured literacy isn’t just a trend—it’s a research-based shift that helps all readers, not just those who struggle. And in 3rd grade, where the demands of reading start to ramp up, it gives students the tools to break through tricky words, understand what they’re reading, and grow as confident, capable learners.

You don’t have to change everything overnight. Start small. Stay consistent. And trust that the work you’re doing matters.

Ready to Make it Easy?

Want a no-prep way to bring structured literacy into your daily routine—without reinventing your whole block?

My Morphology Notebook is designed to make word study simple, effective, and aligned with what really works.

You can grab it HERE and start using it tomorrow.