You gotta come here at MYSJ to read to learn your English as a third grader. Here is why.

You learn to read before the third grade. You read to learn after the third grade.

The reason for this saying is that in the early years of elementary school, typically before the third grade, children are taught to read through explicit instruction, phonics, and sight word recognition. They learn the mechanics of reading, such as letter-sound correspondence and decoding, which are essential for reading simple texts.

However, by the time students reach third grade, the focus shifts from learning to read to reading to learn. This means that they are expected to read and comprehend more complex texts across all subject areas, including math, science, and social studies. They are required to use their reading skills to gain new knowledge and understand the content presented in these texts.

In essence, reading becomes a tool for learning, rather than an end in itself. Students who struggle to read fluently and comprehend what they are reading by the end of third grade may struggle to keep up with the demands of their schoolwork as they progress through their education. That's why early intervention and support for struggling readers is so important to ensure they can succeed academically.