First graders put sounds together to make words and take sounds in words apart. They count the number of syllables or parts in words and change beginning, middle and ending sounds to make new words. First graders build a list of words they can read. The first few times they see a new word, they will have to sound it out. Sooner or later, that word will become part of their permanent memory.
First graders learn that there are different things to read.
First graders explore different types of written material. They learn that people use writing not only for stories, but also for poems, songs, newspapers, signs, and more. First graders learn new words and ideas. First graders will learn new words and increase their vocabulary by being read to and by discussing what they have read. Writing Writing goes hand in hand with reading.