What grade level books are these?

If you look on the back covers of the books you have, you should find a designation of RL: which stands for reading level. RL:2.5, for example, means 2nd grade 5th month. You can also get an idea of reading level for different books at www.bookadventure.com.

In general, I think the books you mention are about 3rd grade level. The books you mention for your son are more like 4th and 5th grade books.

You may want to start working on advanced decoding and multi-syllable word management to get your dd over the 3rd grade hump. I really like Phono-Graphix for this, perhaps followed by Rewards from Sopris West. MTC is a great program for kids who don’t get it any other way, but PG and Rewards are a lot less work and about as fast. If you use PG, be sure to get the $39 parent support manual, which makes advanced code a lot easier to work through systematically. Later on, if your dd still needs it, you can always do MTC.

Nancy

In my opinion the reading level of the captain underpants books vary widely. Some of them are quite difficult with words like “behaviorally challenged,criminally mischievious, attitude adjustment,Mr. Meanor, Miss Anthrope,—then there’s the school psychologist Miss Labler and the guidance councellor Mr Rected who diagnose the boys with ADD and ADHD. Some of those books are a scream. Sometimes I wonder if some of the jokes are intended for the parents. The author wrote another series -Ricky Ricotta . Same cartoony quality.They are a little easier. My son loved them. Spinelli books, and potter etc I would guess to be at least 5th grade level. It sounds like your first child was rather advanced. The other series books you mentioned probably have an RL# on the back cover or on the back of the title page. I’m guessing 3rd.
DEA wrote:
>
> Magic Tree House Series
> Junie B. Jones
> The Bailey School Kids
> Captain Underpants
> Easier Raould Dahl books (Esio Trot, Magic Finger etc.)
>
> I know my son at beginning of 2nd grade was reading these
> fairly fluently. These books are the comfort level of my now
> mid-3rd grade dd. I’m worried she has not progressed much
> this year - other than getting a bit more fluent on this
> level of book (error rate is getting pretty good, if she is
> in the right mood).
>
> What are examples of books that are truely 3rd grade level?
> I know my son was reading Harry Potter(I know this is not a
> 3rd grade level), Jerry Spinelli books, Dear America Books in
> 3rd grade fluently. My dd still struggles with those.
>
> Am I losing ground? I keep pulling my PACE/MTC workbooks out
> meaning to start back up - but they keep going back on shelf
> as I run out of time during the day.

Thanks - I did not know about the RL code before. Checked on the books and some have them and some don’t. That is very handy. Most of the books I listed were grade 2. Bailey School kids were grade 3. Jerry Spinelli was grade 4. This gives me a good feel. She is probably early/mid 3rd grade level.

You are right- we need to work on more advanced decoding and multible syllable work. Getting over 3rd grade hump kind of scares me - I always hear of kids who stop progressing at that level.

I’ve already invested and been certified in PACE/MTC so will continue with that. We never finished the complex code lessons a year ago. We have about 10 more lessons to go (not including if we need to go back and review some). MTC does seem to work for her. Last year, it started to get confusing for her - with all the alternative spelling. But the drills are good and I like the spelling lessons - they work alot on symbol imagery, which is a weak point for her. We did a couple lessons after XMAS and it was easier for her this year vs. when we ended last year. (I was pleasantly surprised - so she must be improving somewhere?)

We started with Reading Reflex and I liked it. But I was not experienced enough to be successful with RR. My dd had some major cognitive roadblocks that RR (and I think PG as well) was not able to break down for her.

Hi DEA,
I’m the volunteer “librarian assistant” in my son’s class for their weekly library visit. From what I’ve noticed the reading interest level varies quite a bit. Sometimes the kids pick out easy picture books (even when they can read at a higher level) and other times they’ll choose chapter books.

I think the ones you’ve described are common favorites of many typical 3rd grade readers. It sounds to me like your daughter is doing fine! :-)

I too think these are typical third grade choices. My son was reading these last year but not independently. Actually, he still doesn’t read anything independently—because he now thinks the books he can read are “for babies”.
Sigh.

But I understand your concern about the 3/4 grade hump. We’re not over it yet either.

Beth