According to English Language Arts and Reading standards, what are students in grades 1-3 expected to do?

Students in grades 1-3 are expected to read independently using personal interest and difficulty estimation. This emphasis on independent reading allows young learners to engage with materials that resonate with their interests, which is critical for fostering a love of reading and promoting intrinsic motivation. Encouraging students to consider their own interests and assess the difficulty of the texts they choose helps develop their autonomy and decision-making skills as readers.

When students select texts that captivate their curiosity, they are more likely to invest time and effort into reading, leading to enhanced comprehension skills and a deeper understanding of various concepts. By placing importance on personal interest, educators support the idea that reading should be enjoyable and relevant, ultimately contributing to a more positive educational experience.

This approach contrasts with the other options, which suggest a more limited scope of reading activities that may not promote the same level of engagement and growth in young readers.