A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Most kindergarten students can do the following:

1. The student understands that print conveys meaning, and:
   • uses picture clues and memory to get meaning from text.

   • knows that groups of letters represent spoken words.

   • turns the pages in a storybook to find out what happens next.

   • makes predictions about story endings.

   • uses the language and voice of stories when narrating his or her own stories.

   • acts out, retells, and dictates simple stories in sequence.

2. The student can identify and name the letters of the alphabet, and:
   • says the alphabet aloud.

   • points out letters of the alphabet in words.

   • can match upper and lower case letters.

3. The student knows that letters are associated with sounds, and:
   • matches each letter with its sound.

   • follows the text with his or her finger while reading.

   • recognizes words that have the same beginning and ending sounds.

   • tries to sound out unfamiliar words while reading aloud.

   • spells words phonetically, relating letters to the sounds in words.

4. The student is developing beginning reading skills, and:
   • understands the concept of a letter and a word.

   • recognizes that words are made up of combinations of letters.

   • tracks words left to right.

   • understands the one-to-one correspondence of words.

   • reads own name and other simple, common words.

   • "reads" his or her written work to others.

5. The student experiments with writing, and:
   • uses symbols and letters to represent words.

   • writes some letters and words correctly.

   • often draws pictures mixed with letters to express ideas and stories.

   • "writes" from left to right, top to bottom.

   • writes own name and names of family members.

   • begins to explore the uses of technology for reading and writing.

6. The student knows that words can be used for various purposes, and:
   • recognizes words in signs that indicate places, such as restaurants, parks, and stores.

   • experiments with writing for different purposes, such as writing a (pretend) grocery list, a thank-you note, or a party invitation.

7. The student knows how books work, and:
   • holds books right side up.

   • reads from left to right, top to bottom, and turns pages.

   • begins reading at the front of the book and moves sequentially to the back.

   • uses the words and pictures in a book to tell a story.

8. The student understands what he or she reads, and:
   • talks about books and stories.

   • asks and answers simple questions about what he or she has read or heard.

   • compares stories to personal experiences.

   • compares events and characters in different stories.

9. The student enjoys reading many kinds of books, and:
   • pays attention when being read to.

   • has favorite books and stories.

   • chooses library books of interest.

   • looks at books independently.

   • shows off new reading skills by reading things like road signs and food labels.

A student who has successfully mastered these skills will be able to understand the following excerpt when it is read aloud:

Kindergarten:

Danny and the Dinosaur, by Syd Hoff

The dinosaur covered his eyes. All the children ran to hide. The dinosaur looked and looked but he couldn't find the children. "I give up," he said. Now it was the dinosaur's turn to hide. The children covered their eyes. The dinosaur hid behind a house. The children found him. He hid behind a sign. The children found him. He hid behind a big gas tank. The children found him again. They found him again and again and again.

Books to read at this level:^*

Red Light, Green Light, by Margaret Wise Brown
Fox On Wheels, by Edward Marshall
Arthur's Reading Race, by Marc Brown
Nate the Great, by Marjorie Sharmat

*Books recommended by the American Library Association.

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[Children Three and Four Years of Age]

[Third Grade Students]