Kentucky Reading and Writing RF.K.1
The Standard
Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print to aid in comprehension. Follow words from left to right, top to bottom and page by page. Recognize that spoken words are represented in written language by specific sequences of letters (graphemes). Recognize that words are separated by spaces in print. Recognize and name all upper- and lowercase letters of the alphabet.
Kentucky Academic Standards for Reading and Writing (2025) · Print Concepts
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students use their finger to keep their place as they look through a book. They notice that spaces divide words and that each spoken word has a particular set of written letters. They name uppercase and lowercase letters.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student tracks each line in order, moves down the page, then turns to the next page. They point to individual words and spaces, find the same written word twice, and name all uppercase and lowercase letters when shown in mixed order.
Common Misconceptions
- Some students skip to the next picture instead of the next line. Some count letters as words or miss the spaces between words. Others think two words are the same when one letter changes, or confuse lowercase b and d.
How to Assess It
- Give each child a two-page booklet: page 1 says 'I see a cat.' and page 2 says 'I see a dog.' Read it aloud as the child tracks the words and turns the page, then ask them to point to a space, find 'see' on both pages, and name C, c, M, and m on letter cards.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs letter tiles to build 'I see a cat'; have them leave spaces and slide a finger under each word.
Show 'The dog ran' beside 'Thedogran' and ask, 'Which is easier to follow, and where do the spaces belong?'
Play letter-pair memory with uppercase and lowercase cards; students name each letter before keeping a matching pair.
Hand out cereal boxes; have students find the first word on a line, follow the print across, and point to spaces.
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Printable RF.K.1 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to RF.K.1, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- RF.1.1
The 1st Grade version of this standard.
- RI.4.7
Interpret information presented in print and non-print formats and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.
- RL.2.7
Use a story's illustrations and words in print/non-print texts to demonstrate understanding of characters, setting and plot.
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