Some Characteristics of Independent Readers and Writers:
- Can independently decode and comprehend text at reading level
- Can decode multi-syllabic words
- Can read and spell many high-frequency words
- Applies many spelling patterns
- Developing a large vocabulary and can use context clues to determine unknown meanings
- Can read fluently with appropriate rate and phrasing
- Can comprehend text with and without picture support
- Can comfortably discuss reading
- Can predict, monitor understanding, and employ other reading strategies effectively to improve comprehension
- Can infer meaning, understand author’s purpose, and apply reading
- Writes and reads from a variety of genres, and for a variety of different purposes
- Writes more sophisticated narratives, using figurative language, dialogue, etc.
- Understands and uses nonfiction text features in reading and writing