Technology Resources

Leveling Books for Independent Reading

Reading research indicates that "high levels of reading accuracy produce the best reading growth" and that "high-success reading (accurately, fluently, and with understanding) improves reading, sometimes dramatically and often in short periods of time" (Allington). Thus, every student in grades one through five takes the Developmental Reading Assessment, 2nd edition (DRA2) in the fall and in the winter. Kindergarten students take the DRA2 in the winter only. This assessment allows a teacher to identify each student's instructional reading level; that level is reported to parents on the elementary school report card. This information is used to differentiate student reading materials and assignments within the elementary classroom.

Use the chart below to obtain additional information for the "typical reader" at each level. Simply click on the Instructional Reading Level provided on your child's most recent report card to read about typical reading behaviors at that level; you will also find a list of books that can be read independently as well.

Kindergarten	First Grade	Second Grade	Third Grade	Fourth Grade	Fifth Grade	Sixth Grade
Level A	Level D	Level J	Level N	Level Q	Level T	Levels X Y Z
Level B	Level E	Level K	Level O	Level R	Level U
Level C	Level F	Level L	Level P	Level S	Level V
	Level G	Level M			Level W
	Level H
	Level I

Key Terms Defined

Background Knowledge - the knowledge that a reader brings to a text
- "The background knowledge we bring to learning colors every aspect of our understanding. Whether we are connecting, questioning, or inferring, background knowledge is the foundation of our thinking" (Fountas and Pinnell).
Embedded Definition - when the meaning of a word is provided within a sentence or in a text; an "embedded definition" is also known as a "context clue"
Fluency - the ability to read accurately, quickly, effortlessly, and with appropriate expression and meaning
High Frequency Word - the words that appear most often in printed material
- Dolch words are those most frequently used in children's books. The Dolch words are broken down by grade level; the list contains 220 service words and 95 common nouns. To learn more about the Dolch Words or to print a copy of the Dolch List, click here.
Inflectional Ending - the ending (i.e., -ing, -ed, -s, -es) that is added to the end of a root word; inflectional endings are added to words to show tense, plurality, possession, or comparison
Intonation - when the pitch of one's voice goes up or down as he/she talks or recites something (i.e., an increase in pitch when reading with excitement)
Pausing - a temporary stop, break, or rest when speaking or reading (i.e., appropriate pausing at marks of punctuation)
Rate - the speed at which an individual can read and can understand what is being read
Word stress - the appropriate stresses on syllables within words

Finding a Book for a Specific Reading Level

To find a book based upon a child's reading level, simply log onto the Scholastic, Inc. website by clicking here: http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/guidedreading/leveling_chart.htm .

* NOTE: Please remember that the reading levels reported on the elementary report card are instructional reading levels (to be read with a bit of guidance and support). If you are looking for an independent reading book (to be read without guidance or support), select a level one or two letters lower than the instructional level reported on the report card.

Finding the Reading Level of a Book...

Is this a "Just Right Book"?

Scholastic, Inc. has a wonderful website called Book Wizard, which allows you to type almost any book title and find its guided reading level. To utilize this site, simply follow the directions outlined below.

Log onto the website at www.scholastic.com/bookwizard
When asked to "Select a Reading Level System", choose "Guided Reading" from the dropdown menu
Type the book title in the window provided and click "Search"
The book's guided reading level, interest level, and genre will be provided

REMEMBER: The guided reading level provided on the report card is your child's Instructional Level, or the level that he/she can read with a bit of guidance and support. If you are using Book Wizard to find a book for your child to read independently, look for a book that is ONE LETTER BELOW the Instructional Reading Level provided on the report card.