Leveled Books

It's that time of the year where teachers are reading with our children trying to find out what their individual reading levels are. There are a lot of different leveled reading programs available for teachers to use in their classrooms.  The reading program I use in my district is different from the program used in my children's school.

Let's start with what is a reading level and why it is used.

If a book is too hard for your child, they can become easily frustrated and discouraged causing your child to shut down. A book that is too easy can be boring and  not challenging enough. Think of it all like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Goldilocks is looking for things that are just right for her, things that are comfortable and familiar. Knowing your child's reading level is the key to success and the best way to grow as a reader.  Your child's reading level contains books that are just right, not too hard or not too easy, but challenging enough to learn from.

There is a wide range of reading abilities that exist within grade levels and age groups.  Reading levels are assessed using programs used in your child's school.  Here are some of the popular reading systems used in schools today;
Fountas & Pinnell
Reading Recovery
DRA
The Lexile Framework for Reading
Reading A to Z

Here is a Correlation Chart showing  Reading Assessment comparisons.

I 

Once your child's teacher has provided you with your child's reading level now what do you do? How can you support them at home? 

You may not have to run out and by books, below I have included a website that lists popular children's books broken down by reading level.  Check and see if you have their "Just Right" book at home or pick some titles your child might like and check out the books from your local library.

http://www.the-best-childrens-books.org/guided-reading-levels.html

Happy Reading!