Leveled Readers

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Leveled Readers
Amy Moxley Mini Lesson EDIT 6340 April 8, 2006
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Leveling Books

• Matching the reading level of a child with the
  text found in a book
• Easy text - read with a high degree of accuracy
  (95 plus)
• Challenging or instructional text (90-95
  accuracy)
• Difficult text less than 90 accuracy

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Leveled Readers

• Multiple systems are used by teachers to level
  books when matching books to readers.

• Lexile Levels
• Guided Reading Levels
• DRA Levels

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Popular Professional Books on Leveled Readers

• Leveling books K-6 Matching Readers to Text by
  Brenda M. Weaver
• Matching Books to Readers Using Leveled Books
  in Guided Reading, K-3 by Gay Su Pinnell, Lois
  Bridges Bird, and Irene C. Fountas
• Leveled Books,K-8 Matching Texts to Readers for
  Effective Teaching by Irene Fountas and Gay Su
  Pinnell

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Selection Criteria

• Leveled readers may be selected by the reading
  specialist using criteria for poor or reluctant
  readers.
• Repetition of main points
• Direct and simple narrative
• Well-organized, direct information
• Illustrations to explain the text

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Selection Criteria

• Reading Level should be a component of selection
  criteria.

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Suggested Sources for Leveled Readers

• Creative Teaching Press
• Houghton Mifflin
• Reading a-z.com
• Rigby
• Scholastic Guided Reading
• Wright Group

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Useful Tips

• Since leveled readers are often not purchased
  with library funds
• some media centers establish book rooms to
  house leveled readers.
• books are often sorted by level and grouped in
  plastic bags or small bins.
• books are often circulated using the honor
  system.

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Instructional Uses

• Guided Reading Programs
• Early Intervention Programs
• Classroom Libraries
• Complement to Basal Programs

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Accelerated Reader

• This program is leveled according to readability,
  interest and reading level.

For more information about Accelerated Reader
visit Renaissance Learning.
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Recommendations

• Leveling systems are not flawless.
• Consider the students interest and background
  knowledge.
• Often these considerations will bridge the gap
  between their reading level and the level of many
  books considered too difficult for them.

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References

• Bishop, K. Van Orden, P. (2001) The collection
  program in schools Concepts, practices, and
  information sources. Englewood, Colorado.
  Libraries Unlimited.
• Coiro, J. (2002). Leveling Books to Match
  Readers. Retrieved March 1, 2006 from
  http//www.suite101.com/article.cfm/1411/91865.