PARENT GUIDE
 

How to determine your child’s independent reading level

 
This easy to use method of determining the independent reading level works to identify
at what level your child is reading and which books you should select for him or her.
 

In the Introductory Package you will find eight books that are part of the Books for
Young Learners collection. Each book has the independent reading level, which you
can find on the outside back cover.
 

Introductory Package ·  Bedtime  ·  I Meowed ·  Beach Feet ·  Little Panda ·  Too Many Nuts ·  Dogs at School ·  Pat and Pea Soup ·  The Coral Reef

Three Easy-to-do Steps

STEP 1

Give your child the first book in the package—Bedtime. Ask her to read the book to
you. Try not to react or interact much during the reading.  But if your child struggles,
step in and provide help by telling her the word or phrase she can’t read. 

• Listen carefully
• Note how fluidly she reads.
• Note the number of mistakes not corrected by your child
• When she finishes reading, ask her to tell you the story 

STEP 2 

If her reading is smooth and confident, if she makes fewer than five errors
per 100 words of text, and if she can tell you the story with very little
prodding, then move on to the next book—I Meowed.

Follow the same guidelines.  If the reading is smooth and confident, if she
makes few errors, and if she can tell you the story, then give her the third
book---Beach Feet.

Follow this pattern with each book in the sequence until you come to a
book that is too challenging for your child. 
 

STEP 3 

If her reading is halting, or she makes more than five errors per 100 words of
text, or she has trouble telling you the story return to the previously read book
and note the Independent reading level on the back of the book.  What she
needs now are more books at that level.

                                                                             On the back cover of the book

These levels represent Emergent Reading (at the far left) Early Reading (in the center)  Fluency (on the right).

To provide your child with more books he or she read comfortably, with confidence and success, select a package(s) of books at the his or her reading level from the Order Information Sheet sent with the Introductory package or click
                                                                                                For  EMERGENT LEVEL
                                                                                                For  EARLY LEVEL
                                                                                                For  FLUENT LEVEL

All children progress through several stages of reading development.  There are
many ways to represent them.  The leveling system we use is on the back of
every BYL book.  

Most children progress from emergent to fluency between the ages of five and
eight.  Some children move more quickly; some children require more time.

A good book enriches the reader in many ways and can be used for many
different purposes.  In learning to read, children need to have books read to
them, books read with them, and books read by them.  Most books can be
used in all three ways at some point in your child’s development. 

We have also identified these approaches on the leveling bar on the back of
every book.                            

S stands for shared reading, G stands for guided reading, and              I stands for independent reading.

We are focusing on the independent reading level, (I).  When children
have, sufficient command of written language to read stories at their level
without support, they need opportunity to read by themselves—independently. 
These books should be easy reading for your child. 

We want to emphasize that independent reading is not a replacement for
reading to your children.  We encourage you to continue to read to them
even after they become independent readers.  And if your child wants to
read to you, terrific! 

Our purpose in organizing these collections of BYL books is to provide your
child with appealing, engaging books at the appropriate independent reading
level.  You and your children will determine what books are right for them,
using your good judgment and the procedures we have described.

There is no end to the need for books at the right independent reading level.
As they progress as readers, children need additional books.  Those they
read an earlier level still have value, and those they are now ready to read
independently are important indicators of their growth as readers. 

If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns, please contact us at
Richard C. Owen Publishers, Inc. 1-800-336-5588 or email us at richardowen@rcowen.com. 

Happy reading!

Richard Owen
Richard C. Owen Publishers, Inc.
 

Introductory Package ·  Bedtime  ·  I Meowed ·  Beach Feet ·  Little Panda ·  Too Many Nuts ·  Dogs at School ·  Pat and Pea Soup ·  The Coral Reef

To Order: 

• Online:        $10.00 plus $7.00 for shipping
                   http://www.rcowen.com/IntroPackageOrder
• Telephone:  1-800-336-5588
• Fax:           914-232-3977
• Mail:           Richard C. Owen Publishers, Inc

      Box 585 Katonah, NY  10536