When my oldest child started school, I was interested to hear that her elementary school, like most others, uses an A-Z system to measure students' instructional reading levels. The Fountas and Pinnellreading level system, first implemented in 1996, was specifically designed to match readers to developmentally appropriate text. It uses letters A-Z to assess children's ability to read with guidance, based on a complex set of factors including phonics, "sight" words, repetition, context clues, and vocabulary. Fountas and Pinnell reading levels are fairly easy to understand even for parents who don't work in education.
By grade level equivalent, here's a basic summary of what you can expect for Fountas and Pinnell reading levels. Note that schools may vary in their expectations of students, with some schools expecting students to read a little ahead of (or a little behind) the Fountas and Pinnell original guidelines.
Kindergarten: A-C
Kindergarten: A-C
Most kindergarteners start out the year able to recognize some letters and possibly some sounds, but are not yet literate per se. Soon, they are able to read level A books: simple, short, repetitive texts with just a few words on each page and illustrations that exactly match them. As they progress, they will learn to recognize punctuation decipher less predictable text. By the end of kindergarten, an average student should be able to read a level C book such as Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin.
First Grade: D-I
Students ideally start first grade able to read level D books such as P.D. Eastman's Go Dog Go. These are longer and more complex than earlier books and may contain compound words and a variety of punctuation, but they'll still be predictable and will contain mostly familiar words and concepts. Children make huge strides in first grade, leaping from simple level-D books to chapter-like books at level I or higher. By the end of the year, kids should be able to read more complex stories, bigger words, longer sentences, and some dialogue, with fluency.
Second Grade: J-L
Second-graders start out the year at an average Fountas and Pinnell reading level J. As the school year progresses, they'll be able to read more and more dialogue and will begin reading, recognizing, and understanding words that they do not typically use in everyday language. Books at Fountas and Pinnell reading levels J-L include some of the most famous works of children's fiction, including The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss, the Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel, and the Henry and Mudgeseries by Cynthia Rylant. Most second-graders can fluently read these books by the end of the school year.
Third Grade: M-P
The Fountas and Pinnell reading level system assumes that most children will be able to read and understand level M books by the beginning of third grade, progressing onward to level P by the end of the year. These books are much more complex than the stories students were reading before, and include several chapters with few or no illustrations and sophisticated themes and concepts. Books leveled M-P by the Fountas and Pinnell system include the Junie B. Jones series, the Magic Treehouse series, the Boxcar Children series, the Amber Brown series, and many of Beverly Cleary's most famous works, such as Beezus and Ramona.
The Fountas and Pinnell reading level system assumes that most children will be able to read and understand level M books by the beginning of third grade, progressing onward to level P by the end of the year. These books are much more complex than the stories students were reading before, and include several chapters with few or no illustrations and sophisticated themes and concepts. Books leveled M-P by the Fountas and Pinnell system include the Junie B. Jones series, the Magic Treehouse series, the Boxcar Children series, the Amber Brown series, and many of Beverly Cleary's most famous works, such as Beezus and Ramona.
Fourth Grade: Q-S
In fourth grade, Fountas and Pinnell expect children to read at a more complex level, often leaving illustrations behind for good. Still, books leveled Q-S have adventurous, child-friendly plots and relatively simple vocabulary. Fourth graders will generally start the year at a reading level Q, which includes Ronald Dahl's most famous books such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, then progress onward to level R books such as Charlotte's Web and Frindle. Most fourth-graders should be able to read level S books, which include many books in R. L. Stein's Goosebumps series, by the end of the school year.
In fourth grade, Fountas and Pinnell expect children to read at a more complex level, often leaving illustrations behind for good. Still, books leveled Q-S have adventurous, child-friendly plots and relatively simple vocabulary. Fourth graders will generally start the year at a reading level Q, which includes Ronald Dahl's most famous books such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, then progress onward to level R books such as Charlotte's Web and Frindle. Most fourth-graders should be able to read level S books, which include many books in R. L. Stein's Goosebumps series, by the end of the school year.
Fifth Grade and Up: T-Z
Beyond fifth grade, children tend to diverge dramatically in their reading levels, even more than at other stages in their development. Most fifth-graders can independently read and understand books with complex plots, intense character development, and many words that are not used in regular conversation. These include level T books such as the Narnia series and the Wimpy Kid series. Eventually, most students will learn how to read and comprehend increasingly complex books, such as the Harry Potter series, until reaching the Fountas and Pinnell reading level Z, which is expected of most eighth-graders and is considered a primer to high-school-level reading.
Beyond fifth grade, children tend to diverge dramatically in their reading levels, even more than at other stages in their development. Most fifth-graders can independently read and understand books with complex plots, intense character development, and many words that are not used in regular conversation. These include level T books such as the Narnia series and the Wimpy Kid series. Eventually, most students will learn how to read and comprehend increasingly complex books, such as the Harry Potter series, until reaching the Fountas and Pinnell reading level Z, which is expected of most eighth-graders and is considered a primer to high-school-level reading.
The Fountas and Pinnell reading levels expected of your child may vary tremendously depending on your child's school, your child's teacher, and your child's individual readiness for reading, but Fountas and Pinnell reading levels do act as helpful guideposts for children's advancement in literacy. If you're not sure of your child's actual or expected reading level, or if you'd like help enabling your child to reach her fullest potential, touch base with her teacher for personalized guidance.
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