WOW, Tammy, that sounds pretty advanced for a grade one class! I wish I could help you, as I only remember what my kids read a long time ago in grade one and it was simple, but not too simple. The kids had to be challenged to learn, naturally. I know it was certainly more advanced than "The Polky Puppy" level.

Esther

Hi Tammy,
You can get a sense of what is typical across the country on the First Grade area of the site:
http://www.education.com/grade/first/
There are articles on what typically happens in first grade in each of the subject areas, as well as Learning to Reads from a first grade teacher named Esme Codell. (Scroll down to the bottom of the page.)
The important thing is to read as much as possible with your child and to keep it fun-- make sure she is reading material that she is interested in, so that reading does not become a chore for her. Also, even if she is reading independently, you can still read to her as well (this is a great way to sneak in some of that tougher vocabulary.) Try not to get discouraged-- kids learn to read at different rates. My brother, for example, was in the lowest reading group in first grade, and ended up being a huge reader who went on to Harvard-- so you never know. Believe in your child!

Danielle

Hi Tammy,
You might want to check out our cheat sheet to first grade:
http://www.education.com/grade/first/
It says what's typical in reading for first grade across the country (in addition to what's typical in the other subject areas.) Plus, it has book picks from a first grade teacher named Esme Codell.
 

Tammy,
Children learn at different rates. My brother, for example, was in the lowest reading group in first grade and turned out to be a huge reader who later went on to Harvard. Have confidence in your child. Also, just because they are reading independently doesn't mean you should stop reading to them. Reading chapter books aloud to your child is a way to sneak in that more difficult vocabulary. It's not a replacement for independent reading-- they work hand in hand.

Danielle

I have observed thousands of first grade students and have seen children who couldn't read any words, besides their first name, when they left grade one, to children who could read chapter books at upper grade levels.  In education, we define "first grade" reading as knowing how to read pre-primer, primer, and first grade words.  The words you mention, e.g. hibernation and mountains, are above the defined levels that would officially be termed grade one words.  If you could take a look at a grade one word recognition test or list that a staff member at your school might have (perhaps a reading resource teacher) that would be helpful to you.  Perhaps you could have a reading specialist assess your daughter's reading level and then you would feel more comfortable that she was progressing satisfactorily in grade one.

Every school has different standards and expectations.  It is so difficult for everyone to be the same across the board.  In general, first graders should be still working on beginning phonics, short vowels and beginning sight words.  Books that pertain to that level would be beginning readers such as Cat and the Hat or Bob Books.  At the beginning of second grade if they have mastered all their short vowels and are ready to tackle long vowels then beginning chapter books like Magic Tree House and A to Z Mysteries are at the right level. If your child is struggling trying to keep up with the rest of the class then I would address this immediately with the teacher.  This can create some major self-esteem issues.  Check with your state standards - see if the school is in alignment with those.

I am a student myself in high school. I trouble reading as well. The real question that you should be asking is "What can I do if my first-grader is falling behind in reading." Who cares what other first-graders are reading.As long as your child is on grade level that is all that matters. Now what helped me is my mom got easy books that she knew i could read to help me boost my confidence.Then she wrote out flash cards with a little bit harder words and had me study them with her. At the end of the week she would write out new flash cards and I would learn new words.The seconds thing you could do is check her test grades that she got.Everytime that she gets an acceptable grade give her a little reward like a little extra dessert, something fun like that and tell her about the deal with the "If you get good grades you will get a little extra..." But, to answer your very first question I would say she should start reading Junie B. Jones or Magic Tree House books.Although those might be hard. Try to see if she can read Berenstien Bears books by herself easily.

As a first grade teacher, I am not a reading specialist, but I will say that by mid-year your child should be working those types of words out, but do not panic because personally I feel that we push these little ones to points of stress and then do not understand why they don't want to read later on in higher grades when the reading becomes fluent and so important to their academic and creative thought processes. If your first grader is reading and learning to sound their words out, then let her progress at her own maturity rate in reading. Encourage her to keep reading the things she wants to read about, and do her best to try those new words in the reading at school. Encouraging to ask questions when she gets stumped on a word or words is okay.