How do you know if your child is reading at grade level or not? My dd is in 3rd grade and I make her read to me everyday, but I have no idea where she's at. I've heard some people say that their 6 year old is reading at a 5th grade level, really? How do you know that, how do you measure this?
There are tests where you can get a level, but in general I would just look at the books your child is able to read and comprehend. You can look at Scholastic Book Wizard to find out what reading level they have set for the books.
Yes, there are a variety of tests as well. Some test only phonics, some test how fluidly a child can read, and some test their comprehension. You can get 3 different grade levels from a test that way. Grade levels vary by state, too (not as much as math, but they vary). You can use free tests like the ones below, or you can use paid tests like www.LetsGoLearn.com (DORA for reading and DOMA for math). http://www.sph.emory.edu/WELLNESS/reading.html http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/articles/060899.htm http://www.nrrf.org/readtest.html
Don't worry about it. It's really an arbitrary system with little real meaning. If you're happy with where she's at and you feel she's progressing, then just let it go. What books can she read by herself? Can she read chapter books? Are they beginning chapter books, or harder ones? How long are the chapters? I would consider a novel like Charlotte's Web an upper elementary book; an easier chapter book like Hank the Cowdog would be about 3rd grade in my mind. To determine how difficult a book is for a child, use "The Five-Finger Test". Open the book to the middle and pick a page. Ask the child to read. Record mistakes on the fingers of one hand. If it is read with one or zero mistakes, it is at your child's "independent reading" level. Three or four is "instructional reading" level...a bit difficult, but one where the child will challenged and will learn with guidance. If you reach all five fingers, stop. It is at the child's "frustration" level. It's probably too hard right now and will frustrate the child. Of course, this is just a generalization....
Well, she's not reading chapter books yet. I did look up Hank the Cowdog, and looks very funny. She had a bad start with phonics and reading in 1st grade, and I think she may be behind in this area. Maybe getting her tested and seeing where she's at might not be such a bad idea. Is 3rd grade when they start to read chapter books independently?
Tara, my son really struggles with his reading. He's fourth grade, and I estimate he's at about late second/early third grade level. It frustrates me sometimes, but we really concentrate on this area, and I see it improving all the time. That means much more than any test. I use the five finger method too. It's a great off the cuff way to match a book with your reader. We read Hank the Cowdog this year on Jackie's recommendation and loved it! (I think I laughed harder than my boys.) It was too hard for my son, though, mostly because of the author's style of humor. He just didn't get the jokes till I took over and read it out loud.
There is no "right" age to start reading chapter books independently. One of my kids was reading Twain and Dickens by 2nd grade, Another was late 4th grade before she was reading ch books independently, and another is in 4th now and is doing Level 2 easy readers. It really does depend on the kid. Steady progress and comprehension is the goal, if that's happening, it really doesn't matter what level she's on.
Start her off with books such as Nate the Great and Frog and Toad. These I would say were first/second books. They're great "confidence builders". These are "I Can Read" books. Also, ASK YOUR CHILDREN'S LIBRIAN!!! She needs to become your best friend!!! Michelle, I know that I laughed over Hank so much more than my kids EVER did!!! Also, see if you can find Old Mother West Wind. A gal that use to be on here told me about it YEARS ago, and it's such a beautiful, old book!!!
