Mrs. McGowan's First Grade

Reading Stages

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For some time now, educators have observed similar literacy characteristics demonstrated by children as they learn to read. In trying to find a description of these "stages" to share with teachers and parents, I thought that the following grouping said it best:

apple.gif (1124 bytes)Early Reader

apple.gif (1124 bytes)Developing Reader

apple.gif (1124 bytes)Fluent Reader

This description can be found in even greater detail on
Mrs. Hall's First Grade website.

 

 

 

 


Early Reader

  • uses picture for clues
  • retells a simple story which is read to them
  • recalls some details
  • knows names of letters
  • identifies consonant sounds at beginning and end of words
  • uses configuration as clue to identify words
  • reads by rote
  • reads one word at a time-choppy
  • selects simple repetitious books
  • reads favorite books over and over
  • silent sustained reading 5-10 minutes
  • has the desire to be a fluent reader
  • enjoys retelling stories

 

 

 

 

 

 


Developing Reader 

  • sequences events in story
  • tells main idea
  • makes predictions
  • identifies main characters
  • identifies setting
  • differentiates between fact and fiction
  • identifies high frequency words
  • some awareness of medial vowel sounds
  • uses context clues
  • begins to self correct
  • understands the meaning of . ? !
  • pauses and uses appropriate inflection for punctuation
  • reads phrases
  • selects a variety of books
  • silent sustained reading 10-15 minutes
  • begins to feel confident when reading silently or orally

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Fluent Reader

  • recognizes plot of story
  • recognizes problem and solution in a story
  • evaluates character's actions or behaviors
  • uses a variety of clues to decode unfamiliar words
  • identifies blends, digraphs, dipthongs
  • applies vowel rules to sound out words
  • understands affixes
  • uses punctuation correctly
  • reads with expression
  • reads smoothly
  • selects a wide variety of books
  • may select chapter books
  • silent sustained reading at least 20 minutes
  • confident
  • enjoys sharing favorite books
  • enjoys challenges 
  • selects reading during free time

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