Reading Skills Reinforcements For Young Readers
What about the Summer Slide?
—SCHOOL’S OUT. SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT THE 'SUMMER SLIDE'? Scientific American, 2023
If a book is too easy, the reader does not improve; too difficult, the reader becomes frustrated and stops reading.
Simply having access to books isn’t enough; readers need books at the appropriate level that also interest them. “Children who are at risk for summer reading loss may need help to ensure that they read the books they’re given and that they do so in ways that are likely to build decoding skills, fluency, and comprehension.” (Kim & White, 2011 - PDF)
Young readers need scaffolding, or training wheels, to help them focus as they read.
Building and Reinforcing Young Readers’ Skills
With Comics Plus, your beginning, early, and middle grade readers have unlimited, simultaneous access to a deep collection of graphic novels, manga, and picture books they’ll want to read all year long.
Whether focusing on word decoding, fluency practice, or comprehension, this Skills Reinforcement Resource can be used to build and reinforce reading skills.
It includes recommended titles and aligned classroom standards that can help librarians and educators enhance reading programs, while providing scaffolding tools to parents who need them to ensure reading success continues at home. You can download the full resource here, or access the individual sections you're most interested in below.
DECODABLES
Stories for young readers that reinforce phonics skills.
Classroom Connections
Individual Phonics Instruction
Small-Group Reading and/ or Phonics Instruction
Word Hunt Activity
Home Reading Connections
Emergent readers are building connections between the spoken word and printed text. They are learning to hear and play with the sounds of words when they practice counting syllables, decoding words by individual sounds or blends of letters.
“When students read decodable texts, they can more readily apply their knowledge of letters and sounds, making it more likely that they will process all of the letters within words and develop fully specified orthographic representations of words. Recognizing words in this way allows the reader to focus mental energy on comprehension rather than word recognition.” (Cheatham & Allor, 2012 - PDF)
Decodables are designed to align with systematic phonics instruction. They feature words students can decode using learned letter-sound relationships, minimizing reliance on guessing. Key features include focusing on specific phonics patterns, controlled vocabulary with high-frequency words, and a structured introduction of new skills.
The increased adoption of the Science of Reading framework in many states underscores the crucial role of Decodable readers.
To assist in selecting appropriate Decodables, publishers offer Scope and Sequence/Sequencing Charts, detailing the phonics skills taught by each book. By referencing these charts, you can ensure that the Decodables you use with your emergent readers align with your phonics instruction.
- Early Bird Readers - Pink (Lerner)
- Early Bird Readers - Red (Lerner)
- Little Blossom, In Bloom, and Code Breakers (Cherry Lake)
- Phonics Fun Decodables (Lerner)
- Phonics Fun (Lerner)
Download our Decodables resource here, with title recommendations and aligned classroom standards.
EARLY READERS
Stories with repetitive sentence structure, high-frequency words, clear and simple language, and pictures that reinforce the text.
Classroom Connections
Individual Phonics Instruction
Small-Group Reading Instruction
Independent Reading
Home Reading Connections
“It may be helpful to think of reading fluency as a bridge between the two major components of reading – word decoding and comprehension.” (Rasinski, 2003 - PDF)
Early Readers are perfect to support the initial stages of learning to read. These books are a crucial tool in early literacy instruction because they provide a structured and engaging way for children to develop reading skills. Characterized by their simple vocabulary, short sentences, repetitive patterns, and clear, supportive illustrations, the goal is to create a reading experience that is manageable and encouraging for young readers, allowing them to build confidence and fluency as they progress.
Early Readers bridge the gap to longer texts and comprehension skills, while fostering a lifelong love of reading.
Download our Early Readers resource here, with title recommendations and aligned classroom standards.
PICTURE BOOKS
Stories that combine full-page illustrations and minimal text.
Classroom Connections
Individual Reading Instruction
Small-Group Reading Instruction
Independent Reading Read Aloud
Book Club
Home Reading Connections
Readers of every age can enjoy reading or listening to a great read- aloud of a Picture Book, sometimes called “Everybody Reads” or “Everybody Books.” The importance of Picture Books is more than the scaffolding of beautiful illustrations that provide context clues for decoding words; they also offer predicting, inferring, and making connections, which deepen comprehension. (Pavio & Clark, 1991)
The range of Picture Books is broad and deep. Very young children enjoy hearing them read aloud, with their rich language and extensive vocabulary. Those learning to read themselves can utilize their decoding skills to deepen their understanding of the pictures and text, while confident readers build critical thinking and speaking skills when discussing a Picture Book.
The mighty Picture Book can provide multiple avenues for teachers and their students to explore.
• Check out ABDO BookLinks, Cherry Lake Teaching Guides, and Lerner eSource for additional resources.
Download our Picture Books resource here, with title recommendations and aligned classroom standards.
WORDLESS
Stories told with only illustrations; no dialogue or narration.
Classroom Connections
Individual Reading/ Writing Instruction
Small-Group Reading/ Writing Instruction
Independent Reading Creative Writing Exercise
Home Reading Connections
Wordless Books are Picture Books that provide a more open-ended approach to reading and using our imagination. These stories are told entirely through illustrations with very few words. The reader must be a keen observer of the images and sequence of events, while identifying details that share the emotion and tone of the story.
Even though there are no words to apply a readability score, the subject and concepts shared must be evaluated for appropriateness to the age group reading the book.
The versatility of a Wordless Book — reaching readers where they are, no matter their reading level or language background — is paramount to the concept’s flexibility. These books build personal connections, allowing the students to hear their own voices and use their imaginations. It is important to note that readers’ understanding and comprehension can be assessed without decoding. (Paris & Paris, 2003 - PDF)
This powerful reading experience provides an innovative way to develop storytelling skills, practice inferring, predicting, and sequencing, while using imagination and creativity to construct meaning and build academic confidence.
Download our Wordless resource here, with title recommendations and aligned classroom standards.
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