Okay, so this posting is strictly for the grown ups! Nothing cute or silly today. But, this could be the most valuable posting yet. I want to tell you about a tool that could really help you and your child take your reading practice to the next level. It's very easy...and it's VERY powerful! Here we go.
You all know that we have the students on a levelized reading program. Books are chosen for them very carefully. These books are not too hard and not too easy. They are right on their individual level! You want the book to be slightly difficult so the kids can struggle through tricky words using the reading strategies that they've learned in class. You also want strings of easier words throughout the text so that they can begin practicing their fluency (reading quick and smooth).
We've talked about the level that your child is on at the moment. You need to know that first. If you've forgotten just shoot me an e-mail or check out the backs of the books that I've chosen for them in their book bags. You'll see a number level somewhere. By the end of the first grade year we're shooting for the 16-18 range. So, here's where this all starts to get cool for you!
There is another way of finding what level readers kids are. It's called the "Lexile" reading level. It's the same thing as what we use...just a different program name. We're called DRA and they are called Lexile. We use small number like 10, 14 or 18. They use bigger numbers like 200, 500, or 1200. I'm going to include a conversion chart that would be good for you to print out. Just copy/paste this address in the bar up top and then print it off for future reference. You'll need it!
http://www.thes.srvusd.k12.ca.us/pdf/Guided%20Reading.pdf
There's a lot of info on this chart! The main thing you need to check out is how your child's DRA level (that's what we use) matches up with their Lexile level. For example...the chart says that a student who is on a DRA level 10-12 is also on a Lexile level 200. Use this chart to get familiar with what Lexile level your child is on. This is all about to get very cool for you so hang tough!
Now, you're going to head over to the best kept reading secret on the web! It's a website called www.lexile.com . This has a ton of info on the Lexile program if you're truly interested in all of this stuff. But, I want to point out one very important tool that they offer. It's a book search engine. I always have parents who say they aren't sure what kinds of books to pick for their kids. It's hard to know what books to pick from the book order, choose from the library or pick at home. Are the books too hard...or maybe it's too easy now? Remember, we want books that are right in that "sweet spot". Not too hard...Not too easy. This website is going to help you out.
At the lexile website there is a search engine that literally has tens of thousands of popular books with lexile levels attached to them! In the top right hand corner you'll see a quick search bar. Try it out! Just type in the name of a children's book that you have around the house and search for it. It will quickly find that book for you and tell you the lexile level is.
For example...I just typed in Junie B. Jones and saw that these books are on a Lexile level 300-400. Now, I'll use my conversion chart from earlier. It says that I need to be on about level 14-18 on my school DRA level if I want to read this book successfully. This database is HUGE! I've sat here typing in every book I can think of and the database has it.
How does this help you? You could literally use this tool to levelize your child's library at home! Awesome. It might take awhile but you could do it. Search for your books, find the level and then slap a sticker on the cover so you won't forget later. This would also come in handy at the public library. Before you check out you could use one of their public computers to check the levels of the books you're choosing.
I know this sounds intense. It kind of feels overwhelming just talking about it. But, it's super important to choose books that are just right for your child. Too hard...will discourage them. Too easy...will teach them nothing. This tool could help you out for the next several years! I think this work would be well worth your effort.
