Reading Level Descriptions

Descriptor

Grade Level

Reading Level

Characteristics

Emergent

K

A

• One to one correspondence
• Learning to hear sounds and connect them to words
• Begins to recognize sight words in text
• Reads orally
• Depends on pictures to make meaning
• Enjoys being read to

Early

K

B

K/1

C

• Orally reads with tracking, can read softly as well
• Uses letter sound relationships to decode
• Beginning to go back and fix words not read correctly
• Can read fluently with easier texts, paying attention to punctuation
• May still rely on pictures, but much less so than previously used
• Uses sight words often, larger collection in memory

1

D

1

E

1

F

1

G

Transitional

1/2

H

• Reads silently a lot of the time
• When reading orally, reads with expression and fluency
• Large core of sight words
• Uses multiple sources to correct miscues (word structure, meaning, syntax, sound clusters)
• Range of word solving strategies in different genres
• Learning to sustain reading for a longer amount of time, including easier chapter books
• Can retell texts with major events in order and explain problem/solution

1/2

I

2

J

2

K

2/3

L

2/3

M

Self Extending

3

N

• Reads silently most of the time
• Reads fluently out loud
• Can sustain reading long texts over several days time
• Can analyze words and sound out multisyllabic words with ease
• Brings extensive reading background to texts and is able to connect texts to self, world and other texts
• Able to understand underlying meanings of stories
• Becomes absorbed by texts and identifies with characters
• Understands analogies, author’s message, foreshadowing, etc to make meaning of text

3/4

O

3/4

P

4

Q

4

R

Advanced

4

S

• Reads silently
• Exhibits fluency in phrasing and expression that shows they understand the meaning of the text
• Expert at using roots, bases and affixes
• Employs wide range of skills in understanding
• Goes beyond the text to form interpretations and apply understanding in other areas.
• Notices and comments on author’s craft
• Reads for a variety of reasons and genres; sustains interest and understanding during long texts
• Constantly acquires new vocabulary through reading, and use reading as a tool for learning in content areas.

4/5

T

5

U

5/6

V

5/6

W

6/7/8

X

6/7/8

Y

7/8

Z