Wonders is the core reading program used in Hoke County Schools for grades K through 5. It is built on decades of literacy research and aligned to the science of reading, ensuring that all students receive high-quality instruction in phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing. Wonders provides rich, diverse texts at the right level of challenge, along with clear routines that help children grow as confident and capable readers.

Independent reviews and research studies have shown strong results for students using the program. Wonders earned top ratings in text quality, knowledge building, and usability from EdReports, a nationally respected curriculum reviewer. Multiple districts across the country have documented significant gains in reading performance after implementing Wonders, including growth on assessments such as DIBELS, MAP, and state ELA exams. These findings highlight the program’s effectiveness for a wide range of learners, including multilingual students and those needing additional support.

For families, the strength of Wonders is its consistency and structure. Students read engaging stories, build background knowledge, and practice important skills every day with materials designed to support both on-level and developing readers. Wonders also connects closely with our K-2 foundational reading work, helping ensure a smooth progression from learning to read toward reading to learn.

What is the NC Early Learning Inventory?

The NC Early Learning Inventory (NC ELI) is an observation-based formative assessment that supports teaching and learning by helping teachers, students, and families understand the learning needs of each child as they grow and develop.

Almost 120,000 children in North Carolina enter kindergarten each year with varying experiences, knowledge, and skills. The NC ELI helps teachers and families gain an ongoing understanding of the strengths and needs of each child as a way to help ensure that each child reaches his or her greatest potential.

WHAT happens?

In the formative assessment process, teachers collect information about children to guide teaching and learning. The information gathered during the first 60 days of kindergarten creates a child profile – a snapshot of each child’s early learning development in key areas. Teachers use this understanding– as well as information collected throughout the school year – to meet the specific learning needs of each child.

HOW does it work?

The teacher intentionally collects evidence about what children say, do, make, or write (e.g., observations, work samples, parent input, activities) through the course of regular instruction. The focus is on five areas of learning and development:

• Language & Literacy
• Cognitive/Mathematic
• Cognitive/Approaches to Learning
• Social-Emotional
• Physical 

The teacher and student use the evidence collected through the formative assessment process to better understand where a child is developmentally in his or her learning. This helps the teacher and student make immediate and ongoing adjustments to instruction and learning.

A secure electronic platform stores the collected student information to support sound instructional decision-­making.

The materials developed as the foundation for this process align with both the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development and the NC Standard Course of Study.

WHO participates?

Kindergarten teachers in all school districts will assess children in all five areas – or domains – of learning and development with these learning objectives:

• Notices and Discriminates Rhyme, Notices and Discriminates Alliteration, Tells About Another Time or Place, Follows Directions (Language & Literacy)
• Counts, Quantifies, Connects Numerals and Quantities (Cognitive/Mathematic)
• Attends and Engages (Cognitive/Approaches to Learning)
• Manages Feelings, Responds to Emotional Cues, Interacts with Peers, Solves Social Problems, Follows Limits & Expectations (Social-Emotional)
• Uses Fingers and Hands  (Physical)

The Office of Early Learning has developed a brief resource to explain the NC ELI to families - NC ELI at Home.

North Carolina's Read to Achieve (RtA) program, managed by the NC DPI (Department of Public Instruction), ensures K-3 students read at grade level by focusing on the Science of Reading with tools like BOG3 tests, Literacy at Home resources, and teacher training, aiming for career readiness; parents get resources (FAQs, Literacy at Home) and decide on reading camps, while the DPI supports evidence-based instruction and provides testing info. 

What is Read to Achieve?

• A law (Article 8) ensuring NC students are proficient readers by the end of 3rd grade for future success.
• Focuses on teaching reading using the "Science of Reading" (phonics, fluency, comprehension). 

Key Components for Parents:

• Beginning-of-Grade 3 (BOG3) Test: Measures your child's reading skills at the start of 3rd grade.
• End-of-Grade (EOG) Test: Another key assessment in 3rd grade.
• Literacy at Home: A free online NCDPI resource with activities for PreK-5 to practice skills at home (phonemic awareness, phonics, etc.).
• Reading Camps: If your child isn't proficient, the school might offer a reading camp; attendance is optional, with parents making the final decision.
• LETRS Training: Teachers get training (Learning Essential to Reading and Spelling) based on the Science of Reading to improve instruction. 

What Parents Can Do:

• Use Literacy at Home: Access NCDPI's digital resources for age-appropriate activities.
• Ask Questions: Talk to your child's teacher about their reading progress, Lexile scores (a reading measure), and RtA details.
• Understand Testing: Know about the BOG3 and EOG tests and what they mean for your child's reading level.
• Decide on Camps: If offered, you decide if your child attends a summer reading camp.

You can find more details and resources on the NC DPI website.

2025 Read to Achieve Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (Published March 2025)

Achievement Level Information for the Read to Achieve Test

The  Grade 3 Read to Achieve Test is linked to the Read to Achieve legislation—G.S. § 115C-83.1.

Kindergarten Parent Guides

• English
• Spanish

First Grade Parent Guides

• English
• Spanish

Second Grade Parent Guides

• English 
• Spanish

Third Grade Parent Guides

• English
• Spanish

Fourth Grade Parent Guides

• English
• Spanish

Fifth Grade Parent Guides

• English
• Spanish

Wonders Writing Experience Brochure

Handwriting Practice Paper

Cursive Handwriting Practice Grades 3-6

Reading 101 for Parents:  Writing Basics:  Lots of Resources and Tips

Readers Are Built Campaign

Readers Are Built is an early literacy campaign from the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation that brings together practical tools and trusted resources that fit into busy lives. The campaign shares accessible activities, including high-quality early literacy apps, digital resources, and everyday activities that help adults support children in building strong reading skills. The campaign aims to remind parents and caregivers that there are numerous everyday learning moments when they can help shape a child’s future. Talking during dinner, singing in the car, pointing out words on a screen, reading a bedtime story - it all counts. Shared reading isn't only for bedtime. Reading isn’t learned only at school. Readers Are Built everywhere, everyday.

Readers Are Built Everywhere!

Support Summer Learning

• NC DPI Student & Family Resources