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How Do I Know Which Books Are Too Hard for My Child to Read at Home?

Jane N. Hannah, Ed.D
By Dr. Jane Hannah, Currey Ingram Academy Lower School Division Head
(originally published in the September 25, 2013, issue of the Currey Ingram Academy Lower School newsletter)
By Dr. Jane Hannah, Currey Ingram Academy Lower School Division Head
(originally published in the September 25, 2013, issue of the Currey Ingram Academy Lower School newsletter)
 
This is an excellent question and one that is important for all parents. Educators often refer to this as a child’s reading level. However, there isn’t just one reading level, but three: Independent, Instructional and Hard (often referred to as the frustration level). When reading at home, children are encouraged to read books that are on the child’s independent reading level. Below are descriptions of these reading levels and how you can help find the right book for your child.

 
Independent Level of Reading: At this level, the student reads 95% of the words accurately, which means that no more than one word in 20 is difficult. In addition, the student should have satisfactory comprehension and read with a natural tone of voice, with little tension in his/her voice. At home, you can determine this level by asking your child to read a passage of about 60 words found in the middle of the book and then ask your child to retell what was read. If your child missed no more than three of the 60 words and can retell what was read, this is likely a book that is at your child’s independent level of reading. Thus, this book would be at the level that you can safely ask your child to read alone.  At this level, your child should be able to read his/her book silently, and your son or daughter does not need to read aloud to you.

 
To gain fluency in reading, children must not only learn and then automatically apply the rules and strategies for decoding individual words, but they must read large amounts of material at the independent reading level or the level at which the student has a high degree of success. It is also helpful for the struggling reader to read “easy” text many times, so encourage your child to read a book again and again.  Reading poetry is also a great way to build fluency if the poems are relatively easy and between 50 - 200 words in length.

 
Instructional Level of Reading: At this level, the student reads about 90% of the words accurately, which is equivalent to no more than one error in every 10 words. Comprehension would be at least 75%. This level is a stretch for the student, and this is the level at which the teacher provides instruction. With proper instruction and materials, the student can make excellent gains at this challenging level of reading. However, one must remember that this is the level at which instruction is provided and not the level for independent reading.  If your child wants to read a book but you know the book is at the instructional level, read the book with your child.  You might choose to read a couple of pages and then have your child read a page, but you should be there to help your child with the difficult words.

 
Frustration or Hard Level: The student should not be asked to read at this level. Errors are numerous and comprehension weak. Often, the child is only able to read about 80% of the words accurately (about one in five words is missed). At this level, your child will read with an unnatural rhythm, and there is tension in his/her voice. If your child has an interest in reading a book that is at the frustration level, an adult should read these books to the child. Reading to your child is an excellent bonding experience for both parent and child. Whereas, asking a child to read only books at his/her frustration level will not build fluency and will only make your child dislike reading.

 
In closing, do everything you can to make reading fun for your child, and start with books that are easy to help build his/her confidence, or select books on topics of interest to your son or daughter.  If they are too difficult for your child to read, read these to him/her.  If you are struggling to find the right books for your child, make an appointment with Mrs. Franklin or Mrs. Powers in the Learning Resource Center in Jennifer and Billy Frist Hall and ask them to help you find just the right book.  If a book is too difficult or is at the child’s frustration or instructional level, your child will not enjoy reading. These first few years of school are crucial for helping a child develop a love for reading.
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Currey Ingram Academy is an exemplary JK-12 day and boarding school that empowers students with learning differences to achieve their fullest potential. Since 2002, the school has been located on an 83-acre campus in Brentwood, Tennessee, just miles from Nashville and Franklin. Families from 33 states and eight countries cite the school as their primary reason for moving to Middle Tennessee.

Currey Ingram Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).