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Summer reading lists are usually organized by grade levels, but do you know which of those books your child should be reading? Using your child’s interest to randomly select books from this type of list may help with motivation, however, it is not always the best way to find an appropriate book for every reader!
Many students read below or above grade levels, so how do you find that “just right” book level? To select an appropriate book you must match your child’s Reading Level to an appropriate Text Level. Appropriate texts will provide just enough challenge to empower a reader, but not enough to cause frustration.
Reading levels are usually reported with letters (A-Z) or numbers (1- 50). The key to selecting appropriate books is to know which letter or number identifies your child’s Independent Reading, Instructional/Guided Reading and Frustration Reading. It’s also helpful to know the reason why your child will be reading a text. For example, is the purpose for reading to develop reading fluency, to learn new comprehension strategies or simply to enjoy a good story?
INDEPENDENT READING: (Easy Reading; 95-100% Accuracy; Excellent Comprehension) Students read on their own for practice and/or pleasure.
PURPOSE: to build Reading Power and Stamina and to improve Reading Fluency by developing Phrasing, Stress, Intonation, Pace and Integration of Ideas.
INSTRUCTIONAL READING: (Guided Reading; with 90-94% Accuracy; Good/Excellent Comprehension) Students are taught vocabulary and reading skills and then they read while being supported by a teacher and/or parent. Students make the most reading progress at this level.
PURPOSE: to learn and to apply new reading skills and comprehension strategies with slightly challenging but manageable text.
FRUSTRATION READING: (Difficult Reading; below 90% Accuracy; Poor Comprehension) Teacher and/or parent reads aloud and then discusses these books with the child. Please note that students who consistently read on their own at their Frustration Level may show a decline in reading skills.
PURPOSE: to model fluent reading, to increase vocabulary, to improve listening comprehension, to develop aesthetic appreciation for stories and to build background knowledge.
Next, consider the readability level of a specific text. The easiest way to do this is by using Lexile measures. By knowing your child’s “Reading Safety Zone” or “Lexile Level Range” and matching it to an appropriate Lexile measured text you will be able to predict how well your child may comprehend that specific text.
A Lexile Level Range is usually 100L below to 50L above your child’s Lexile measure. A reader with a Lexile measure of 1000L who is independently reading a book measured at 1000L will most likely understand 75% of the content. If that same student reads a book measured at 750L, comprehension will probably increase to about 90% and when reading a text measured at 1250L comprehension may drop to about 50%. Students who are supported as they read or who have interest in the topic and/or extensive background knowledge about the subject will usually be able to handle more difficult text with increased comprehension.
How do you obtain your child’s Lexile Level Range? Some schools provide parents with a child’s Lexile Level, so -100L and +50L to identify the Lexile Range. Then skip to the final step to search for appropriate books. If you do not have your child’s Lexile Level, you need to compare your child’s reading level (A-Z or 1-50) to the Lexile Level Ranges on a conversion chart (available online) to identify the Lexile Level Range.
The final step is to visit https://lexile.com/findabook to access a database of Lexile leveled books so that you can search for books in your child’s Lexile Level Range. You may also type in a title to obtain the Lexile measure of a specific book.
Don’t forget to have fun while helping your child become a Successful Reader!
Summer reading lists are usually organized by grade levels, but do you know which of those books your child should be reading? Using your child’s interest to randomly select books from this type of list may help with motivation, however, it is not always the best way to find an appropriate book for every reader!
Many students read below or above grade levels, so how do you find that “just right” book level? To select an appropriate book you must match your child’s Reading Level to an appropriate Text Level. Appropriate texts will provide just enough challenge to empower a reader, but not enough to cause frustration.Reading levels are usually reported with letters (A-Z) or numbers (1- 50). The key to selecting appropriate books is to know which letter or number identifies your child’s Independent Reading, Instructional/Guided Reading and Frustration Reading. It’s also helpful to know the reason why your child will be reading a text. For example, is the purpose for reading to develop reading fluency, to learn new comprehension strategies or simply to enjoy a good story?
INDEPENDENT READING: (Easy Reading; 95-100% Accuracy; Excellent Comprehension) Students read on their own for practice and/or pleasure.
PURPOSE: to build Reading Power and Stamina and to improve Reading Fluency by developing Phrasing, Stress, Intonation, Pace and Integration of Ideas.
INSTRUCTIONAL READING: (Guided Reading; with 90-94% Accuracy; Good/Excellent Comprehension) Students are taught vocabulary and reading skills and then they read while being supported by a teacher and/or parent. Students make the most reading progress at this level.
PURPOSE: to learn and to apply new reading skills and comprehension strategies with slightly challenging but manageable text.
FRUSTRATION READING: (Difficult Reading; below 90% Accuracy; Poor Comprehension) Teacher and/or parent reads aloud and then discusses these books with the child. Please note that students who consistently read on their own at their Frustration Level may show a decline in reading skills.
PURPOSE: to model fluent reading, to increase vocabulary, to improve listening comprehension, to develop aesthetic appreciation for stories and to build background knowledge.
Next, consider the readability level of a specific text. The easiest way to do this is by using Lexile measures. By knowing your child’s “Reading Safety Zone” or “Lexile Level Range” and matching it to an appropriate Lexile measured text you will be able to predict how well your child may comprehend that specific text.A Lexile Level Range is usually 100L below to 50L above your child’s Lexile measure. A reader with a Lexile measure of 1000L who is independently reading a book measured at 1000L will most likely understand 75% of the content. If that same student reads a book measured at 750L, comprehension will probably increase to about 90% and when reading a text measured at 1250L comprehension may drop to about 50%. Students who are supported as they read or who have interest in the topic and/or extensive background knowledge about the subject will usually be able to handle more difficult text with increased comprehension.
How do you obtain your child’s Lexile Level Range? Some schools provide parents with a child’s Lexile Level, so -100L and +50L to identify the Lexile Range. Then skip to the final step to search for appropriate books. If you do not have your child’s Lexile Level, you need to compare your child’s reading level (A-Z or 1-50) to the Lexile Level Ranges on a conversion chart (available online) to identify the Lexile Level Range.The final step is to visit https://lexile.com/findabook to access a database of Lexile leveled books so that you can search for books in your child’s Lexile Level Range. You may also type in a title to obtain the Lexile measure of a specific book.
Don’t forget to have fun while helping your child become a Successful Reader!
Reading Success Learning Center provides Diagnostic Assessments, Individual Intervention and Small Group Enrichment in Pre-Reading Skills, Reading Fluency, Comprehension Strategies, Vocabulary, Writing, Critical Thinking, Algebra, Math and Study Skills for students K-12. All services are delivered by experienced Reading Specialists and Certified Teachers in a risk-free learning environment.
Camille Aloi, owner of Reading Success Learning Center in Palm City, holds a Master of Science in Education and Reading. Mrs. Aloi has 21 years of experience in New York and Florida successfully setting structures in place to ensure Student Achievement and to promote School Improvement.
For additional information, visit Reading Success Learning Center online at
www.readingsuccess.education or call 772-905-8957 for a Free, No Obligation Consultation regarding Reading, Writing, Math & Study Skills.
For additional information, visit Reading Success Learning Center online at
www.readingsuccess.education or call 772-905-8957 for a Free, No Obligation Consultation regarding Reading, Writing, Math & Study Skills.
