Reading Expectations

• Students are beginning to recognize that print carries meaning.
• They will learn to identify letters, the sounds they make, and begin to recognize their names in print.
• Students will listen to stories and talk about pictures, characters, and events.

Examples:

• Your child might say, “That word starts with B, like my name, Ben!”
• They can point to a picture of a dog in a book and say, “That’s a dog.”

Writing Expectations

• Students will use pictures, symbols, and some letters to share ideas or stories.
• They may start printing their name and some familiar letters or words.

Examples:

• Your child may draw a picture of your family and “write” under it with scribbles or letters.
• They might write “I luv u” (I love you) for a card.

Reading Expectations

• Students will read simple books with short sentences and familiar words.
• They will learn common sight words (e.g., the, and, to) and begin to sound out new words.
• Students will talk about the story, make predictions, and share connections.

Examples:

• Your child reads a sentence like, “The dog can run,” pointing to each word.
• They might say, “I think the cat is hiding because he looks scared.”

Writing Expectations

• Students will write short sentences using familiar words, basic punctuation, and invented spelling.
• They will use pictures and words to tell a story or share an idea.

Examples:

• Your child writes, “I wet to the prk” (I went to the park) with a picture of a slide.
• They might write, “I lik my cat. She is funnee!”

Reading Expectations

• Students will read books with longer sentences.
• They will use strategies like sounding out words and recognizing more sight words.
• Students will answer questions about what they read and retell main events.

Examples:

• Your child reads a paragraph and says, “The frog starts as an egg and grows into a frog.”
• They might say, “I liked the book because the boy found his lost puppy.”

Writing Expectations

• Students will write short paragraphs with complete sentences and basic punctuation.
• They will organize ideas with a beginning, middle, and end.

Examples:

• Your child writes, “On Saturday, I went to the park. I played soccer with my friends. It was fun!”
• They might write a story: “The cat was lost. I found him in my backyard. I was happy!”

Reading Expectations

• Students will read longer texts with more complex sentences and less support.
• They will begin to summarize, make inferences, and explain their thinking about what they read.

Examples:

• Your child says, “I think the character feels sad because he lost his toy.”
• They can read a chapter and tell you the main idea: “This chapter was about how bees make honey.”

Writing Expectations

• Students will write multiple paragraphs with clear organization and detail.
• They will use correct punctuation and spelling for many common words.

Examples:

• Your child writes: “My family went to the beach. We swam in the ocean and built a sandcastle. It was the best day!”
• They might write a report about their favorite animal with facts like, “Dogs can smell very well and help people.”

Reading Expectations

• Students will read a variety of texts (stories, articles, and informational texts) independently.
• They will analyze, summarize, and make connections between what they read and the world around them.
• Students will explore themes, characters, and opinions in books.

Examples:

• Your child explains: “This story shows why it’s important to be kind to others.”
• They read an article about space and summarize, “The moon doesn’t have air, so people can’t breathe there.”

Writing Expectations

• Students will write well-structured paragraphs, stories, reports, and personal reflections.
• They will use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and revise their work to improve clarity.

Examples:

• Your child writes a story with a beginning, middle, and end: “The treasure was hidden on the island. We sailed there and found it under a big tree.”
• They write a report: “Polar bears live in the Arctic. They have thick fur to keep warm and hunt seals for food.”
• They reflect on a book: “I think the main character learned to be brave because she faced her fears.”