Emerging Talents Building on foundational reading and writing skills. Second & Third Grade Loop Home > Grade Levels > Second & Third Grade Loop As our budding authors and emergent readers transition into second grade, they continue to benefit from direct instruction in foundational reading skills. By third grade, nearly all reading material and writing assignments are generated by the expedition content. Expedition work offers authentic purposes for improving literacy skills and opportunities for crew work. Children write poetry, nonfiction articles about a researched topic, and biographies. Importance of Group Work Children’s social skills mature as they take on the dynamics of group work and are able to complete a finished product or goal. At the same time, teachers expect students at this age to become more independent problem solvers, and by the end of third grade, children are equipped to work in crews or independently.