The Argument for Grade Level Books
Some books for elementary-aged students!
When kids are not reading at their grade level, there is a concern that using grade level books will be discouraging and too challenging for them. I have seen this play out in teaching and with students. When kids are not able to read on grade level, books that are at lower levels and deal with lower-level content and topics that are better geared for younger kids are used. Often these books are not interesting to older kids and they may not feel motivated to read them. So, what should you do?
I dealt with this question on Monday night. A few students asked what books they should use with upper elementary students who needed support with reading. They were debating using a text that was better suited for a second grader. I thought back to my conversation with Norene Bunt. Norene wrote the book, Solving the Literacy Puzzle, and in the book (and during our conversation), she argued that kids need access to grade level texts. She found that kids who do not ever read books that are at their grade level are at a disadvantage. I see her point. If kids are only given books at lower levels, we are missing the mark and not giving them access to books at their grade level. There are many ways to read a book (that may be more challenging for a student) with kids and help them access the content. For example, the book can be read aloud to them and the teacher can implement think alouds to show the kids how she is thinking about the content of the book. When reading the book aloud, the teacher can also ask questions to help guide the students’ thinking about the content of the text.
Another way to read the book is to choral or echo read the book with the students - where they hear the text read and then have the opportunity to either read at the same time as the teacher or repeat the reading back to the teacher. Kids can also partner read together and kids can be paired up in many ways that help support all readers. There are many ways to help kids read book at their grade level - it just may take a bit of creativity.
The benefit of using grade level texts with kids is that they are reading about topics that they are more interested in and hopefully, that will motivate them to keep reading.
My older daughter is very interested in middle school books. Some of the content in the books is above where she is - she has not had these experiences and thus, does not have the prior knowledge. But, she is very motivated to read these books. So, I will read the book to her - we read a chapter or two each night. I have to do a lot of talking and explaining while reading these books to her - so that she understands some of the content. Then, I have her re-read the chapters I read before we pick up and continue on. I’ll be really clear about how I do this - on Monday, we may read chapters one and two. On Tuesday, before we start reading chapter 3 (while I am reading with her younger sister), she will re-read chapters one and two or if there is not enough time for her to read both, I’ll have her re-read only chapter two. This gives her the opportunity to re-read (which is so valuable) but she’s already had my support with the reading and the content.
What are your thoughts about grade level texts for students? I’d love to hear how you make this work with your class!