# Phonics and Word Recognition Rubric: Grade 1

## Task

Students recognize and analyze letters and sounds in words.

## Curriculum alignment

- Students recognize and analyze letters and sounds in words ([Outcome](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44869)).
- Students apply accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression in the development of fluency ([Outcome](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44880)).

## Rubric

| Criterion | Beginning | Developing | Proficient | Exemplary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Letter and sound recognition** | Identifies fewer than half of upper and lower case letters or their sounds. | Identifies most letters and some letter sounds; inconsistent with consonants and vowels. | Identifies all 26 letters and most letter-sound pairs; distinguishes consonants and vowels ([Skills](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44873)). | Identifies all letters and sounds fluently; explains how letters represent sounds in words ([Understanding](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44872), [Knowledge](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44875)). |
| **Word decoding** | Cannot blend sounds or reads only sight words; does not attempt to decode unfamiliar words. | Blends some sounds in simple words with support; decodes a few one-syllable words. | Blends sounds with accuracy to read one- to two-syllable words; recognizes long and short vowels ([Skills](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44877)). | Decodes unfamiliar words smoothly; explains letter combinations and vowel patterns ([Understanding](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44876), [Skills](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44884)). |
| **High-frequency word fluency** | Recognizes fewer than 25 high-frequency words; reads them slowly or with errors. | Recognizes 25 to 75 high-frequency words; reads some automatically. | Reads 125 high-frequency words automatically and in sentences ([Skills](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44888)). | Reads all high-frequency words instantly; uses them fluently in connected text ([Understanding](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44887)). |
| **Presentation and labelling** | Labels are missing or unclear; model or report is incomplete or hard to follow. | Most labels are present; some clarity; model or report shows basic understanding. | All labels are clear and accurate; model or report explains phonics concepts clearly. | Labels are precise and well-organized; model or report teaches the concept effectively. |

## Scoring

Add the level for each criterion. A score of 16 is Exemplary; 12 to 15 is Proficient; 8 to 11 is Developing; 4 to 7 is Beginning.

## Notes for the teacher

- Look for evidence that the child can match letters to sounds, not just name letters. Ask the child to point to a letter and say its sound.
- High-frequency word fluency means the child reads the word instantly, without sounding it out. Listen for smooth, effortless recognition rather than hesitation or self-correction.
- Labelling should match what the child is showing. If the model shows a word broken into sounds, labels should name each sound (phoneme) or letter (grapheme) clearly.
- The English alphabet consists of a set of 26 letters that represent sounds. Accept any format that shows the child's thinking about how sounds and letters work together.

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*AILI marking guide · language en · model claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · generated 2026-09-17 · id 6f7c6fcf-08cb-4213-a816-f890c04529cf*

### Sources

- node:n1: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Phonics: Foundational literacy is supported by understanding relationships between sounds in oral language and the lett… › How can understanding relationships between sounds and letters (phonics) increase knowledge of words? (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44869)
- node:n2: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Fluency: Comprehension and literary appreciation are improved by the ability to read a range of texts accurately, autom… › How does reading prosody (expression) support fluency? (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44880)
- node:n3: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Phonics: Foundational literacy is supported by understanding relationships between sounds in oral language and the lett… › How can understanding relationships between sounds and letters (phonics) increase knowledge of words? › Students recognize and analyze letters and sounds in words. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44871)
- node:n4: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Phonics: Foundational literacy is supported by understanding relationships between sounds in oral language and the lett… › How can understanding relationships between sounds and letters (phonics) increase knowledge of words? › Students recognize and analyze letters and sounds in words. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44873)
- node:n5: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Phonics: Foundational literacy is supported by understanding relationships between sounds in oral language and the lett… › How can understanding relationships between sounds and letters (phonics) increase knowledge of words? › Students recognize and analyze letters and sounds in words. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44872)
- node:n6: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Phonics: Foundational literacy is supported by understanding relationships between sounds in oral language and the lett… › How can understanding relationships between sounds and letters (phonics) increase knowledge of words? › Students recognize and analyze letters and sounds in words. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44875)
- node:n7: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Phonics: Foundational literacy is supported by understanding relationships between sounds in oral language and the lett… › How can understanding relationships between sounds and letters (phonics) increase knowledge of words? › Students recognize and analyze letters and sounds in words. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44877)
- node:n8: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Phonics: Foundational literacy is supported by understanding relationships between sounds in oral language and the lett… › How can understanding relationships between sounds and letters (phonics) increase knowledge of words? › Students recognize and analyze letters and sounds in words. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44876)
- node:n9: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Fluency: Comprehension and literary appreciation are improved by the ability to read a range of texts accurately, autom… › How does reading prosody (expression) support fluency? › Students apply accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression in the development of fluency. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44882)
- node:n10: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Fluency: Comprehension and literary appreciation are improved by the ability to read a range of texts accurately, autom… › How does reading prosody (expression) support fluency? › Students apply accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression in the development of fluency. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44884)
- node:n11: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Fluency: Comprehension and literary appreciation are improved by the ability to read a range of texts accurately, autom… › How does reading prosody (expression) support fluency? › Students apply accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression in the development of fluency. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44883)
- node:n12: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Fluency: Comprehension and literary appreciation are improved by the ability to read a range of texts accurately, autom… › How does reading prosody (expression) support fluency? › Students apply accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression in the development of fluency. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44886)
- node:n13: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Fluency: Comprehension and literary appreciation are improved by the ability to read a range of texts accurately, autom… › How does reading prosody (expression) support fluency? › Students apply accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression in the development of fluency. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44888)
- node:n14: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Fluency: Comprehension and literary appreciation are improved by the ability to read a range of texts accurately, autom… › How does reading prosody (expression) support fluency? › Students apply accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression in the development of fluency. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44887)
- node:n15: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Fluency: Comprehension and literary appreciation are improved by the ability to read a range of texts accurately, autom… › How does reading prosody (expression) support fluency? › Students apply accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression in the development of fluency. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44890)
- node:n16: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Fluency: Comprehension and literary appreciation are improved by the ability to read a range of texts accurately, autom… › How does reading prosody (expression) support fluency? › Students apply accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression in the development of fluency. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44892)
- node:n17: Language Arts – English › English Language Arts and Literature (K–6) › Grade 1 › Fluency: Comprehension and literary appreciation are improved by the ability to read a range of texts accurately, autom… › How does reading prosody (expression) support fluency? › Students apply accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression in the development of fluency. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/44891)