2. THIS YEAR’S READING FOCUS
Our goal is to help every student find their Fast, Fun, and
Easy reading level.
Students read 30 minutes at school.
Students should also read for 30 minutes at home every day.
This time can be split up into different sessions (15
minutes and 15 minutes), but the time is non-negotiable.
3. WHAT STUDENTS NEED AT HOME TO SUPPORT
READING PRACTICE
Block out distractions – turn off the tv, radio, computer.
Read with your child.
Talk to your child about what he/she reads.
Make sure the books come back to school safely.
4. WHAT IS A POWER WORD?
A Power Word is usually a word that CANNOT be sounded
out. It must be memorized. For example:
Their
Your
What
5. 1GREEN & 2GREEN
• Sight words (60 words in 1 Green)
• Sight words (60 more words in 2 Green)
• Consonant sounds
• Consonant blends (sk, br)
• Digraphs (th, sh, ch, wh)
• Comprehension skills
• Story elements
6. 1BLUE READERS
Word families
Chunking (am, ham, hammer, hammering)
Power words (150-300 words)
One syllable words
Short Vowels
Long Vowels
Use multiple reading strategies when reading an unknown word
Uses inferences to understand the story
7. 2BLUE READERS
• Decode two-syllable words following basic patterns by breaking the words into
syllables.1-1 matching-pointing at words
• Read words with inflectional endings (-ed, -er, -ing, -es, -y, -est).
• Recognize and read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words.
• Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support
comprehension.Identifies what the book is mostly about
• Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
8. 1RED & 2RED READERS
1 R E D R E A D E R S
1R readers are able to sit
for 30 minutes and
enjoy one long picture
book. Their focus is
not on decoding, but
on the content of the
book.
They should be given the
opportunity to read
picture books that
come in series (e.g.,
Clifford, Arthur, Amelia
Bedelia, Berenstain
Bears).
2 R E D R E A D E R S
2R readers begin 2R as
picture book readers
and leave as chapter
book readers.
They develop the habit of
silent reading and
chapter book reading.
Students should not leave
2R until they are
successfully reading
(and finishing) at least
one chapter book a
week.
9. WHITE READERS
Wt-level books include academic vocabulary, language not normally used
in everyday speech (e.g., exclaimed, cautiously).
Students acquire academic vocabulary through immersion in text, the same
way they acquired their speaking vocabulary through immersion in oral
language. Wt books have 1-2 academic words and/or phrases per
chapter-book size page of text.
Wt readers must spend enough time reading at the Wt level to acquire the
1,500 new academic vocabulary words expected of proficient third-
grade readers. This is entirely different and unrelated to decoding.
10. BASIC COMPREHENSION
• What is happening so far in the story?
• Beginning
• Middle
• End
• Who are the characters?
• What is the setting?
• Why do you think that is happening?
• How do you know?
If English is not your first language, share books and stories in your home language
Lower level readers may read the same book more than once
Refer to Parent’s Guide handout and Supporting your child’s reading
The levels that your child is reading is fast, fun, and easy. Children should be reading at 98 percent accuracy.
Refer to Parent’s Guide handout and Supporting your child’s reading
The levels that your child is reading is fast, fun, and easy. Children should be reading at 98 percent accuracy.
