Reading Skill Progression

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K
1	Skill & Grade Level	TK	K	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th
2	Phonological Awareness	Noticing sounds, syllables, rhymes; playing with language	Segments and blends syllables and onset-rime; beginning sounds	Segments and blends phonemes; manipulates sounds in words	Applies all phonemic skills automatically in reading/writing	Fully developed	Fully developed	Fully developed	Fully developed	Fully developed	Fully developed
3	Phonics & Decoding	Recognizes some letters and letter sounds	Knows letter-sound relationships and begins decoding CVC words	Decodes regular short and long vowel words; uses phonics patterns	Decodes multisyllabic words and uses vowel teams and suffixes	Decodes unfamiliar words with confidence	Applies advanced decoding across content areas	Applies decoding to analyze multisyllabic academic words	Applies across academic content; analyzes structure	Applies decoding to support deep comprehension	Reads and analyzes multisyllabic texts independently
4	High-Frequency Words	Recognizes name and environmental print	Reads and writes basic high-frequency words (e.g., the, I, see)	Expands sight word recognition to 100+ words	Reads a wide range of high-frequency and content words	Reads most grade-level words with fluency	Fluently reads multisyllabic and academic words	Fully fluent across fiction and nonfiction texts	Uses fluency to support comprehension of complex texts	Applies fluency to interpret complex and abstract ideas	Reads and synthesizes complex texts across genres
5	Fluency & Expression	Pretend reads; joins in with known books	Reads emergent text with support and growing confidence	Reads at appropriate pace with growing expression	Reads with phrasing, accuracy, and expression	Reads smoothly and expressively across genres	Reads complex texts aloud with accuracy and emotion	Adjusts pace and expression for purpose and genre	Reads and interprets texts critically and analytically	Synthesizes across sources for argument or analysis	Delivers oral analysis and arguments with clarity
6	Literal Comprehension	Listens to stories and answers who/what questions with support	Identifies characters, setting, and major events	Retells key details in sequence; answers who/what/where	Summarizes story events, identifies problem/solution	Summarizes and explains main ideas and themes	Analyzes plot development and theme across texts	Synthesizes information across texts	Cites evidence in writing and discussion	Explains key ideas clearly in discussion or writing	Evaluates and synthesizes across multiple sources
7	Inferencing & Predicting	Not yet introduced	Makes simple predictions and connections	Makes inferences using pictures and simple text clues	Makes inferences using text evidence	Uses text evidence to support inferences	Evaluates character motivations and themes	Supports claims with direct textual evidence	Understands tone, irony, and deeper author intent	Analyzes character development and shifts in tone	Analyzes theme development and author’s craft
8	Theme & Author’s Craft	Not yet introduced	Not yet introduced	Identifies main idea in a story	Discusses author's message and character traits	Recognizes literary devices (e.g., simile, metaphor)	Examines author's choices and literary techniques	Analyzes perspective, bias, and author's intent	Analyzes narrative technique and structure	Compares texts with varying structure or purpose	Applies understanding of craft to original writing
9	Text Structure & Features	Not yet introduced	Begins to recognize captions, labels, and dialogue	Recognizes bold print, headings, and labels in informational text	Understands table of contents, glossaries, and diagrams	Identifies compare/contrast, cause/effect structures	Interprets charts, timelines, and multiple text structures	Uses organizational text features to locate and compare info	Explains how structure supports comprehension	Analyzes structure across different genres	Uses structural knowledge to support synthesis
10	Vocabulary & Word Solving	Explores word meanings with support	Uses first letter (or picture) to guess unknown words	Uses meaning, structure, and visual clues to solve words	Uses context clues and known roots to infer meanings	Explores multiple meanings, synonyms, and figurative language	Uses word parts and context to analyze unfamiliar vocabulary	Interprets academic vocabulary and idioms in context	Uses Greek/Latin roots and affixes to unlock meaning	Applies vocabulary strategies to support comprehension	Applies academic vocabulary across subjects
11	Speaking & Listening	Takes turns speaking in group discussions	Practices listening and responding in classroom routines	Takes turns and responds to peer ideas in small groups	Participates in discussions; asks and answers questions	Engages in structured discussions and presentations	Collaborates in discussions and begins formal presentations	Presents ideas clearly and responds thoughtfully to others	Engages in debate and oral analysis of texts	Evaluates progress and demonstrates ownership of presentation goals	Demonstrates poise during challenging or spontaneous questions