Beginning Literacy Skills
When the Learner has attained these skills, he/she is ready to move to the intermediate literacy level of curriculum (Challenger).
Reading Skills
- Can read most beginning-level material with comprehension. Mostly one syllable words, repetitive style, sentences 4-8 words long. Examples: I do not drive to work. I take the bus. I save money this way. I do not have to pay for gas. I do not have to pay for parking. I save money on gas. I save money on parking.
- Can read one-page of a Reverse Writing (see training manual) from own experience.
Word Study Skills - Can identify the letters of the alphabet, capital or small, at random.
- Can identify the initial consonant sounds of most words from word list.
- Recognizes the short vowel sounds.
- Can read most words in random order from:
a. most-used Sight Words List (see manual or Appendix K in LitStart)
b. the Beginning Word Families lists in Appendix E of LitStart. - Can spell most words from the Beginning Word Families List in Appendix E of LitStart.
Writing Skills - Can print all the letters, both capital and small.
- Can print name and full address and other important information from memory.
- Can write and read a short shopping list.
- Can complete Beginning Guided Writing Exercises (Strategy 53 in LitStart).
- Can write simple dictated sentences using beginning word-family words, periods, and capital letters.
Intermediate Literacy Skills
When the Learner has attained these skills, he/she is ready to move to the advanced literacy level of curriculum (Journey).
Reading Skills
- Can read most intermediate level material with comprehension such as short, simple words of one or two syllables, sentences 6-12 words, fluid sentences but still a little choppy. Examples: I don’t drive my car to work. I take the bus instead. This saves me money because I don’t pay for gas or parking. Parking is very high—five dollars a day. That would be twenty-five dollars a week!
- Can read own Reverse Writing three pages long.
Word Study Skills - Recognizes long, short, and other vowel sounds and the cues for them.
- Recognizes six main syllable types.
- Recognizes the sounds of blends and digraphs.
- Can read most words at random from:
a. The Intermediate Word Families lists in Appendices E and F in LitStart.
b. The Intermediate Sight Word list in Appendix K in LitStart. - Can spell most words at random from:
a. The Intermediate Word Families in Appendices E and F.
b. The Intermediate Sight Word list in Appendix K in LitStart.
c. The word family words with the endings –S, -ED, -ING, -ER, and -EST(pp. 136-137 in LitStart) - Can read and interpret contractions.
Writing Skills - Can apply Reliable Spelling Rules.
- Uses writing for at least three everyday situations.
- Can write conversational thoughts that others can understand.
- Can write a coordinated paragraph of at least three sentences.
- Can write simple dictated sentences using intermediate words, periods, question marks, and capital letters
- Can write legibly in cursive (page 173 in LitStart) (Optional)