For comments and questions, contact:
University School
20701 Brantley Rd.
Cleveland, OH 44122
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 What level books should my son be reading in January of first grade?
Although we follow the guidelines of Reading Recovery in leveling our first grade books from levels 1 to 18, we use trade books that do not have controlled vocabulary. Therefore, one book at a certain level may be harder or easier for a certain student than another. While we hope that our students will be reading at Level 10 - mid-first grade level - or above by January, we are more interested in the strategies the student is using than the level at which he is reading. Three different students, all at the same level, often have three different sets of strengths and needs. Further, a student who appears to be a stronger reader at Level 10 may not be as balanced as another student who is not so fluent. He may read most of the book easily but become helpless when faced with unfamiliar material. When the stakes are raised and the books become harder, the "weaker" student may in fact have a better set of strategies with which to deal with the book independently. The goal of our reading program is to produce readers who have developed effective reading strategies, are independent processors of print, and enjoy reading for information and enjoyment. If we can tach each student to use a variety of strategies, if we can encourage him to take a risk, if we can help him rely on himself rather than on an adult to solve reading problems, the levels will take care of themselves. The student will be a balanced reader who will improve in reading every day just by reading.
Answers to the FAQs about Reading have been prepared by Dozie Herbruck, former Learning Specialist at University School.
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