Duncan Creek uses Fountas & Pinnell Guided Reading levels which range from a A to Z.. First grade expectations are D through J. Students should be able to read a level D when they begin first grade, and they should reach at least level J books by the end of the year. Here are some examples:
I will inform you of your child's reading level within the first few weeks of school. You will find this on a page that is kept in his or her daily folder. I try to update it monthly, but you can always ask me or your child what level he or she is currently reading. Students will bring home a book on his or her own level to practice almost every night. These books are the ones we worked with in small groups that day. I have books sorted by level in the classroom that students may borrow in addition to their nightly reading homework. Students who read nightly will almost definitely exceed the level J expectation. In my experience, students who do not develop a reading routine usually struggle. A good example is the best teacher, so let them see you enjoying a good book, too! If you want to build your home library using the Scholastic Book Clubs (see tab above), you will find that most books have the Guided Reading level listed.