Grade Level Reading Expectations - Kindergarten

Making Meaning at Text Level

Focuses on text detail to identify and confirm
Develops a memory for text
Uses pictures to predict text
Identifies the beginning, middle, and end of a story
Retells a simple text in sequence
Connects characters with actions
Recounts information gained from books
Understands importance of directionality
Reads and follows simple directions and symbols

Making Meaning at Word Level

Hears sound sequence in words
Recognizes and names all upper and lower case letters
Uses letter-sound links (including initial and final)
Matches spoken and written word
Identifies repetition of sounds, words or phrases
Is able to distinguish when letter names and sounds match
Can distinguish similar and dissimilar sounds in groups of words
Uses simple plural forms
Reads labels and captions around the classroom (e.g., in centers and displays)

Making Meaning Using Context

Understands that some words name or describe actions, ideas, or information (e.g., nouns, adjectives, prepositions) in oral and/or written language
Recognizes some words in different contexts
Interprets and uses pictures, labels, photographs
Pauses and sometimes reruns or self-corrects if meaning is lost

Reading Attitudes and Behaviors

Participates in the reading of stories, poems, songs
Asks for nonfiction as well as fiction books to be reread
Explores new books, including nonfiction
Returns to reread and/or review favorite books
Rereads to gain confidence and pace in known text
Responds to acknowledgement and encouragement

	Fiction (Literary)	Non-fiction (Information, task, career)	Text Features
New to Grade Level	Narrative - realistic, fantasy Songs Letters (personal) Diaries Rhyme and Poetry - counting, number, playground	Nonfiction texts should include science, social studies, math, the arts, health and fitness Procedural Expository Recount Reports	Page Numbers Titles Author and illustration credits Labels Captions Story maps Charts