Do you ever have to look up the level of books? Seems like I am always looking up book levels for my reading groups and for my classroom library.
One popular way to level books is to use Scholastic Book Wizard. You can search books in different ways like similar books or search the level of a specific book. I also like that you can choose which book leveling system you want to use, like grade equivalent, guided reading, DRA, or even Lexile. And now I see they even have a mobile app for looking up books. That would be great for when you are in a bookstore and need to know the book level!
This is a great book for finding the level of books too. I use it in class when I am not at my computer. It's not cheap, but it is a good resource if you use Fountas and Pinnell leveling for your classroom books.
This is not the exact reading correlation chart that I use, but it is close. I keep it taped up behind my desk to refer to as I plan lessons. It is a well used list!
I have a question for you...Have you increased your reading levels you are requiring students to meet as you transition into common core? I know a lot of schools are upping the levels. Are you and what are your thoughts for the children on raising the bar?
It seems like book leveling is a never ending job. It would be nice if publishers would add that to part of the book.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a great idea, Sara, if we could get book publishers to always level the books! That would be a huge help! Thank you for coming by!
DeleteIn NJ we have to create Student Growth Objectives (part of our evaluation) so we think very carefully about the level we expect students to reach, since Guided Reading levels is an SGO for the ESL dept. It's kind of a strategy game for me- I know 90% of my students will go up at least one level so I write my SGO to say 75% will go up one level so I have a cushion. As far as rigor, I really raise the bar with the students who are at a higher proficiency level, since lower proficiency kids tend to gain more ground quicker than others.
ReplyDelete-Maria
Maria, you have a lot of work to decide for each student what they may be able to reach. :)
DeleteOur DRA levels are the same as your chart, except K is up to level 4. Do you ever find any use for Lexile levels? It's the one I am not familiar with at all and always wonder if I should study up and at least learn the grade ranges.
ReplyDeleteJessica
Literacy Spark
Jessica, that is what I am hearing from others too- that K is being raised to level 4. I don't currently use the Lexile levels. I have done some reading about them, but it is the one I am least familiar with.
DeleteOur kindergartners are supposed to be at D (F&P) by the end of the year...let's just say it's a HUGE challenge! There is a significant difference to me between Level B and C and to expect them to jump to D is even more daunting. We have so many little friends who come in way below grade level, but are doing all we can to get them to be readers!
ReplyDeleteAylin :)
Learning to the Core
Aylin, I know other schools are expecting the D level now too. And I agree, when we have some of our little kinders coming in with little to no literacy experience that is a huge undertaking to get them to D by the end of the year. It is a lot to accomplish, but teachers are working hard to get them there!
DeleteI totally need help in this area! Thanks for the help! Our kids have to be at a C by the end of the year and we to WTW and F&P.
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
Mrs. Leeby, our kids have to be at level C also by the end of the year. But I am considering whether to raise that level or not. Lots of other schools are requiring it. A lot of our students are higher than that at the end of the year with no problem. But it will be tough on our little struggling students. Thank you for coming by!
DeleteI use Reading Recovery levels. We haven't upped ours. I don't think we'd want to until our kindergarten schedule improves.
ReplyDelete❀ Tammy
Forever in First
I agree Sara! Almost all our time is spent levelling books! Lori, I am in a brand new school and we don't have a selection of books large enough for all of us to use! It has really been a great way to practice and use whole class strategies. My students' reading levels are going up steadily but I will be having to work hard on my lower kids. I love TPT to readers!
ReplyDelete:) Shelley
The Perks of Teaching Primary
That was supposed to say - "I love TPT for readers".
DeleteI wasn't aware of Scholastic Wizard. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOur K expectation is Level C but in our province (BC) the Primary Programme is our guiding philosophy and it recognizes that everyone learns at a different rate and it's unrealistic to expect the kids to meet the same bar ... so no, I'm not under a lot of stress in that regard. While I think they need consistently great teaching each and every day, as long as the kids are all progressing and loving to read, then I don't worry too much about where they're at.