Most of the time here at Between These Pages, I focus on the content of a book, sharing with you anything that I think parents and teachers should know about when making informed decisions regarding what is appropriate for children to read. Today, I’m going to share some thoughts on picking just right books – the books that are at an appropriate reading level for your children.
Helping your reader select the right book can be one the biggest challenges out there, especially when your child isn’t reading the same things as everyone else. So how can you tell when a challenging book crosses over into too challenging? There are things you can do as a parent to help your child make the best possible choices.
Grades K-1
Some children have a natural facility with words. When they see a word, even one you consider very challenging, they can pronounce it with little hesitation. When reading aloud, they flow through the pages fluently. It is easy to assume that because the reading sounds terrific, that the student is successfully reading the book. But it is important to dig deeper! Exceptional pronunciation and identification of words is a valuable tool, but it is just one component of reading.
Before Reading:
Before reading, have your child check to see if they think the book will be just right.
- Ask for predictions about what might happen in the story. Predictions should make some type of logical sense based on the illustrations, title, any additional text that is visible, as well as your child’s experience with that genre, author or type of character. Example: In making a prediction about Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
, a child who has read Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
should make predictions that the pigeon will beg you to let him do something and that you’ll have to say “no” a lot.
- Have your child try to read a page aloud to you. If there are more than 5 unknown words, this book is too hard! Unknown words are words that either your child can’t read or can read but can’t understand.
During Reading:
- Keep checking for those unknown words! If your child is stumbling so often that he is unsure of what is happening in the story, it may be time to put the book aside for later.
- Ask questions about what is happening in the book. Students should be able to give you a summary in their own words. But true understanding will go beyond summarizing. Students should be able to make predictions about what they think will happen next. They will be able to make connections to other books or events happening in the world. Students should be able to pose questions about parts that confuse them or make them curious.
After reading:
Begin by having your child tell the story back to you (for advanced readers who are reading chapter books this can be done after each chapter or every few chapters). During this discussion check for understanding, pay particular attention to warning signs that your child does not understand the book.
Signs that your child may not fully understand:
- The child cannot retell the story or leaves out main events (especially watch out for those who just retell the ending).
- Your child refers to main characters as “him, her or it” rather than by the names used in the story.
- Your child cannot give you more information if prompted or answer questions about the story.
Good readers often progress quickly, especially once in a formal education setting. Just because a book is too hard now, doesn’t mean it will still be too hard in a month or two! Remind your children that the book will be waiting for them when they are ready. If a book is especially interesting and the content and plot are age appropriate, offer your services as a reading buddy!
For Review This Month – I’ll be reviewing some books that should be appropriate for advanced Kindergarten and First Grade readers. It can be hard to find chapter books that appeal and are age appropriate so I’ll be going through ones that usually pop into my head to recommend and seeing if they really are just right for the advanced reading crowd.
