http://levels.pbworks.com

Table of Contents 

ALA program June 29 2013 Books Online Calculators Databases for finding book levels Leveling Conversion Charts  Leveling, labeling and censorship Handouts from 2012 presentation Leveling Easy Readers in Libraries

  

 

ALA program June 29 2013

 

  

Understanding Leveling Systems

           http://ala13.ala.org/node/10113

 

Chicago
Saturday, June 29, 2013
3:00pm to 4:00pm
McCormick Place Convention Center
Room S405

 

Handout for Program

      If you are attending this program, you can print the handout and bring it with you.

 

Understanding Leveling System PowerPoint with speech in Notes  

 

          

 

 

Books

  

Solving the Reading Riddle: The Librarian's Guide to Reading Instruction by Rita Soltan.  (Libraries Unlimited, 2010. ISBN:  9781591588443.) 

The only book about reading levels written from the point of view of a librarian.  Uses Reading Recovery system as an example.

 

Tools for Matching Readers to Texts by Heidi Anne E. Mesmer (2007, Guildford Press, pap. ISBN: 978-1593855970. Also available in hardcover and on Kindle.)

A thorough discussion of the history of quantitative and qualitative leveling systems.   Describes advantages and disadvantages of most leveling formulas and systems.

 

Leveled Books K-8:  Matching Texts to Readers for Effective Teaching by Irene C. Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell.  (Heinemann, 2006, pap. ISBN:  978-0325008189)

 An official title of the Fountas-Pinnell Guided Reading program.  Includes background on leveling systems, criteria for each of the levels and strategies for using F&P leveled books in reading instruction.

 

Beyond Leveled Books:  Supporting Early and Transitional Readers in Grades K-5, 2^nd edition, by Karen Szymusiak, Franki Sibberson and Lisa Koch.  (Stenhouse Publishers, 2008, pap. ISBN:  978-1571107145.  Also available on Kindle.)

Explores the uses and limitations of leveled texts for teachers.  Provides instructional techniques for moving readers toward independent book selection.   Includes mini-lessons. 

 

Text Complexity: Raising Rigor in Reading by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey and Diane Lapp.  (International Reading Association, 2012, pap. ISBN:  978-0872074781.  Also available on Kindle.)

Describes the intersection of leveling systems and Common Core standards.  Straight forward writing style and generous use of examples make this an excellent basic text. 

 

 

 

Online Calculators

 

Get a Lexile® Text Measure   

http://www.lexile.com/analyzer/

You can apply for a free Lexile account that allows you to submit a limited amount of text for determination of its Lexile level. 

 

 

ATOS for Text     

http://www.renlearn.com/atos/default.aspx

ATOS is the leveling system used by Accelerated Reader.  You can type in a small text file or submit an entire book for analysis.  

 

Online Readability Calculator
http://www.online-utility.org/english/readability_test_and_improve.jsp

Paste text into this calculator to find readability using the following methods: Coleman Liau index, Flesch Kincaid Grade Level, ARI (Automated Readability Index), SMOG.

  

 

Databases for finding book levels

 

Lexile:   Find a book

http://www.lexile.com/fab/

The official site for finding Lexile levels. Search by author, title, lexile or grade level and genre.

 

AR Book Finder

http://www.arbookfind.com

Search for books in Accelerated Reader program by author, title or topic. Provides interest level, book reading level and AR points.

 

Fountas and Pinnell Leveled Books K-8 Official source

http://www.fountasandpinnellleveledbooks.com/

This database requires you to pay for each search. Search by author, title, F&P level, genre or publisher. 

 

Scholastic Book Wizard

http://www.scholastic.com/bookwizard/

Search by author, title or keyword. Provides levels for Guided Reading, Lexile Level and DRA. Also has “Book Alike” to search for books at similar interest and reading levels. 

 

Leveled Books Database 

http://books.atozteacherstuff.com/leveled-books/

Search by level for Guided Reading, Reading Recovery or Accelerated Reader. Buy now link takes you to Amazon. 

 

Reading A-Z

http://www.readinga-z.com/

Purchase downloadable books arranged using a reading system similar to Guided Reading. Some free samples available.

 

 

Leveling Conversion Charts 

 

 List of conversion charts that compare different leveling systems

 

 

Leveling, labeling and censorship

 

Labeling and Rating Systems:  An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights 

 

ALA Questions and Answers on Labeling and Rating Systems

 

AASL Position Statement on Labeling Books with Reading Levels

 

 

Handouts from 2012 presentation

 

Leveling Easy Readers in Libraries

 

 

       

 

Updated by Kate Todd

 

 

June 2013

EduKateTodd@gmail.com