MitgliedPittAmericaReads

Emergent Reader Characteristics
Understands that print carries meaning
Understands that print moves left to right, top to bottom (directionality)
Pretend writes (scribbles, random marks, drawings)
Knows some letters of the alphabet
May recognize some words or letters in their environment (McDonalds)
Pretend reads (tells the story from memory)
Use picture clues to help tell the story and decode unknown words

Early Reader Characteristics
Uses strategies to predict a word (beginning letter-sound relationships)
Uses pictures to confirm meaning
Uses known spelling patterns to figure out new words
Recognizes many high-frequency words and many simple words
Finger point reading
Uses their own experience and background knowledge to predict meaning

Transitional Reader Characteristics
Reads more difficult picture books
Reads longer, more complex texts, short chapter books
Has a large core of sight vocabulary words
Can read independent level text with expression and proper phrasing
Is able to identify story elements (beginning, middle, end, plot, setting)
Monitors reading for understanding
Can summarize texts read

Self-extending/Fluent Reader Characteristics
Identifies most words automatically
Can read chapter books with good understanding
Can make connections to other books they've read as well as their own lives
Monitors and self corrects reading
Can read silently for sustained periods
May read a variety of genres independently