Independent and Guided Reading Levels
At various times during the school year, your child may be tested to find their approximate independent "just right" and guided reading levels. This assessment takes in a variety of factors: accuracy, fluency, and comprehension on leveled texts. Students have been asked to "shop" for books at or near their just right levels. This is their independent level. These are books that they are interested in and can read with HIGH accuracy. Students usually have success reading these books independently because they can quickly and smoothly decode the words, and understand both the literal aspects of the text (about the characters, problem/solution) but the inferential aspects (theme of the story, character traits, author's message, figurative language and word play) of the text as well.
Students also have an "instructional" level, a level that is slightly too hard to read alone, but with support from me, is a level they will grow into rather quickly. This is often, but not always, 1 or 2 levels above their independent or "just right" level. Students may need to work on a variety of reading skills in order to advance to the next level: accuracy of text (97-100%), decoding of multi-syllable words, fluency when reading (rate, phrasing, expression), or comprehension (usually inferring complicated ideas such as character traits, themes of stories, understanding figurative language, character motivations, ideas about the author/writing). This type of thinking often include questions starting with how or why, and include an opinion with reasons from life experiences or the text.
Your children have books at school which they pick out and decide are "just right." While students do have free choice, it is very important when choosing a just right book that it not be too far above their independent level. In order for students to deeply understand their book, and practice fluent reading, they need a just right book. In order for your child to move up levels, they need to read stacks of books at this level. It's like running a marathon- you don't just jump into running 26.2 miles right away- you work up to it. Each level offers unique skills and challenges to be mastered before moving on.
Please remember, these levels are approximate. If you or your child feel the level is not appropriate (too easy/ too hard), I'd be happy to sit with them informally to see if they are ready to move on. In some instances, if your child is close to advancing, they may be reading at two levels- a lower level to continue with fluency support, and the more challenging level to grow into.
Your child will be bringing home a bookmark or list of books soon. For samples of what the different book levels may include, please click on the links below. Please remember, this list is meant as a guide, and in no way does your student need to read all of the books or authors on it, but I have included many tried and true favorite and popular books/ authors that over time have become standards. If you have specific questions about books or levels, the Scholastic Book Wizard is a good source for leveling books. Click here to go to Scholastic's Book Wizard site.
Students also have an "instructional" level, a level that is slightly too hard to read alone, but with support from me, is a level they will grow into rather quickly. This is often, but not always, 1 or 2 levels above their independent or "just right" level. Students may need to work on a variety of reading skills in order to advance to the next level: accuracy of text (97-100%), decoding of multi-syllable words, fluency when reading (rate, phrasing, expression), or comprehension (usually inferring complicated ideas such as character traits, themes of stories, understanding figurative language, character motivations, ideas about the author/writing). This type of thinking often include questions starting with how or why, and include an opinion with reasons from life experiences or the text.
Your children have books at school which they pick out and decide are "just right." While students do have free choice, it is very important when choosing a just right book that it not be too far above their independent level. In order for students to deeply understand their book, and practice fluent reading, they need a just right book. In order for your child to move up levels, they need to read stacks of books at this level. It's like running a marathon- you don't just jump into running 26.2 miles right away- you work up to it. Each level offers unique skills and challenges to be mastered before moving on.
Please remember, these levels are approximate. If you or your child feel the level is not appropriate (too easy/ too hard), I'd be happy to sit with them informally to see if they are ready to move on. In some instances, if your child is close to advancing, they may be reading at two levels- a lower level to continue with fluency support, and the more challenging level to grow into.
Your child will be bringing home a bookmark or list of books soon. For samples of what the different book levels may include, please click on the links below. Please remember, this list is meant as a guide, and in no way does your student need to read all of the books or authors on it, but I have included many tried and true favorite and popular books/ authors that over time have become standards. If you have specific questions about books or levels, the Scholastic Book Wizard is a good source for leveling books. Click here to go to Scholastic's Book Wizard site.
3rd Grade Instructional Reading Level Expectations
Click here to view the Instructional Reading Level Expectations chart by Fountas & Pinnell. This chart can give you a general overview of your child's present instructional (with some guidance- not to be confused with their independent, just right level) reading level.
guided_reading_leveled_books_list.pdf | |
File Size: | 150 kb |
File Type: |
Leveled Books
Level I Book Characteristics
Level J Book Characteristics
Click here to view a level I & J book listLevel L Book Characteristics
Click here to view a level L book list
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what_is_a_level_n_text_like.docx | |
File Size: | 28 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Click here to view a level N book list
Click here for a list of level N books
Level P Book Lists
Click here for a list of level P books
level_p_texts_features.pdf | |
File Size: | 50 kb |
File Type: |
Level R Book Lists
Click here for a list of level R books
level_r_texts_features.pdf | |
File Size: | 47 kb |
File Type: |
Level T Book Lists
Click here for a list of level T books
level_t_texts_features.pdf | |
File Size: | 47 kb |
File Type: |
Level K Book Characteristics
what_is_a_level_k_text_like.docx | |
File Size: | 33 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Click here to view a level K book list
Level M Book Characteristics
what_is_a_level_m_text_like.docx | |
File Size: | 35 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Click here to view a level M book list
Click here for a list of level M books
Level O Book Characteristics
level_o_text_features.pdf | |
File Size: | 48 kb |
File Type: |
Click here to view a level O book list
Click here for a list of level O books
Level Q Book Lists
Click here for a list of level Q books
level_q_texts_features.pdf | |
File Size: | 49 kb |
File Type: |
Level S Book Lists
Click here for a list of level S books
level_s_texts_features.pdf | |
File Size: | 44 kb |
File Type: |