When choosing “just right” books for kids, it is important to note how well the reader reads the words (word identification) AND how well he understands what he has read (comprehension/understanding).
But what exactly are we looking and listening for as the reader readers aloud? Included the appendix of my book, How to Choose “Just Right” Books: Helping Kids Grow as Readers, you’ll find a printable pack that includes a few resources to guide you through this process.
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What is Included in this Printable Resource Pack?*
Grade/Book Level Correlation Chart for K-5
When you pick up a book, and you see “1.8” on the book, how do you know what grade level the book is on? That is what this chart is designed to do; help you see how all the most common book leveling systems line up with one another. This way, you’ll be sure to know what level a book is on when you see a random string of numbers or letters.
Marking the Reader’s Mistakes Guide
When a reader reads aloud, you want to keep an accurate record of exactly what words he read correctly, misread, or corrected after misreading the first time. This chart suggests ways to quickly mark the text so you can go back see at a glance what word identification strategies the readers uses or does not use.
Reading Behavior Checklists
As a child reads, we want to also observe his reading behaviors. One of my reading behavior checklists gives you reading behaviors you should be looking for as your young reader reads aloud. Does he observe the punctuation when reading? It also gives you comprehension behaviors to watch for. Is he able to “read between the lines” and answer questions that aren’t so obvious? Included are charts for both word identification and comprehension.
Assessment Text Form
When assessing a child in reading, it’s handy to have a separate copy of the passage you are asking him to read. On this form, you can type up or write out the passage of text to follow along. Be sure to use the suggested markings from Marking the Reader’s Mistakes on this copy of text as the reader reads aloud. At the bottom, there is a box where you can fill in all the information about the text to serve as a quick reference about the passage (type of text, text level, comprehension score, etc.).
Comprehension Question Recording Sheet
On this form, you can write in the comprehension questions you thought of specifically for the text the child is reading. Once you’ve asked your question, write the child’s answer in the space provided below each one. If the question is straight from the text, circle EXPLICIT. If the answer has to be inferred, circle IMPLICIT. If the child was unable to answer the question the first time asked, but was able to find the answer when given a chance to look back through the text, make sure and circle LOOK BACK. (If you aren’t sure what questions to ask your child, you may want to check out Chapter 5 of my ebook. It gives question prompt stems for both fiction and non-fiction that can apply to any passage of reading.)
How Do I Know if a Book is “Just Right”? (designed for KIDS!)
This is probably my favorite resource in the pack. 🙂 This is a printable resource chart you can give to kids. Once you know their “just right” level, you can help kids find texts at their “just right” level with independence. Included on the page are features of books that are too hard, too easy and “just right”.
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*Please note that while it is picture above, my ebook is NOT included in this free printable resource pack; just the printable packs from my appendix. My ebook can be purchased separately for by clicking HERE.
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Enjoy!
~Becky
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