One of the advantages of Early Reading is that there is time in Grade 1 to enhance the experience of children.  Here is a recent note to a volunteer interested in writing and speaking.

==============================================

I like what you have written. It fits into some ideas I have.

We are in the midst of the Early Reading program with a goal of children starting school reading and writing.

That frees time in primary school since the students already have the basic skills.

This opens the door for your ideas on public speaking and creative writing in the First Grade. What would you teach children about poetry?

How about creative speaking:

A passage is read with the expression and understanding of the precise words.

Compare that with someone who is a story teller. Narrates a passage based on meaning, not exact words.