Group+Project+Discussion

Hi Group Members:

Here is some of what I have found so far there are both pros and cons of leveled reading books

Pros
 * Progression from simple to more complex and challenging texts and not based off of readability such as done with basals which are just examples from a few short passages.
 * Encourages teacher to select materials that are just right for the students or provide enough support.
 * Allows for teachers to differentiate instruction and provide texts for both the struggling and proficient readers. It gets all the students engaged in what they are reading and letting them feel comfortable.
 * Gives teachers another way to assess the students on a leveled basis
 * In young readers it gives them the support of familiar, predictable, repetitive, and rhythmic language. Has picture clues to match words. As they progress the texts becomes more challenging and complex with less picture clues and makes them use more content knowledge.
 * Use following criteria to level books: text and print features, vocabulary, sentence complexity, content, text structure, language, and literary features, themes, and ideas of books.
 * Lets teachers look at level of support needed for their students. Teachers are looking more precisely at the books they chose and how the students are going to interact.
 * Teachers learn how leveled texts can nurture the development of skillful readers

Cons

Melissa
 * Using leveled texts just for the trends than the actual application
 * Get into "leveling mania"
 * Insufficient attention to instruction that fosters active construction of meaning and self regulation
 * Assignment agends get in the way of monitoring and addressing the development of word solving and comprehension strategies
 * Some teachers only let students read within their "level" and not expand their horizons to other literature
 * may not fit all instructional needs of all students or their development
 * unable to shift attention to print and develop neccessary understandin g of how words work
 * Students have learned letter-sound relationship but not in these predictable books. Too many sight words that don't follow the rules
 * Teachers believe all lists are accurate because it is printed