Our games “level up” to three reading levels. The reading levels were identified by our reading specialist – Dr. Diana Sharp.
A way to support the strengths of beginning readers, and simultaneously prevent frustration, is to offer them text that matches their skill level in terms of how much mental work it takes to translate the print into meaning.We have identified three reading levels of text.Our goal is that children who begin with the skills needed to read Level 1 text will move through the game, gaining the skills and confidence to read at higher levels. Our definitions of these text levels are in the table below:
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Key Features |
Sentence Forms |
Book Forms |
Example Trade Books |
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Level 1 |
Lots of repeated words and/or phrases, but the text is not completely predictable or “guessable.” Even at this simple level, the text has ties to universal themes that provide interest and resonance. |
Very short sentences. Most words one or two syllables. Example: Please draw me a house. |
Most pages with only one to three lines on the page. |
Biscuit, by Alyssa Cappucilli
Tiny the Snow Dog, by Cari Meister
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Level 2 |
More story-like or expository language, without overly obvious repetition. |
Longer sentences than at Level 1, but usually only one clause.
Most words still have one or two syllables.
As often as possible, sentences begin with an easy or familiar word, with less familiar and more difficult words placed later in the sentence.
Example: They were looking for wild horses.
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Still only one to three short lines per page. |
Chester, by Syd Hoff
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Level 3 |
Much larger variety of words. Much more text on the page. |
Include interesting multi-syllable words (e.g., “wonderful,” “beautiful.” “underwear”). Example: Winter may be beautiful, but bed is much better. |
Often more than three lines on the page, but lines of text are still short. |
Frog and Toad Are Friends, by Arnold Lobel |
I’ve seen a few kids grow big grins as they are able to read sentences. It is an amazing feeling! I know this won’t happen to all the kids. But when it does happen, the joy is indescribable. It is our hope that ItzaBitza and ItzaZoo can be a part of a child’s reading choices. A choice that once played, just might provide the motivation for your child to want to read books!
