These Books Are Way Too Easy!

Every year we have parents that become upset and very concerned that their child is bringing home books from school that are too easy. The following information is meant to help you understand why these books often seem too easy.

First, it is important that you know that the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) is a valid, research based tool that we use to assess and document primary students' development as a reader over time.

To assess fluency and comprehension your child reads leveled books (which are part of the DRA Kit) aloud to the teacher. Each child is assessed individually and as your child reads, fluency errors and reading behaviors are documented. Your child must be able meet the criteria on the DRA rubric to move onto the next level.

So for example, if they successfully read the level 4 text (without too many fluency errors) they are asked to then do these things:

Start at the beginning, and tell me what happened in this story. The child needs to include most of the important events from the beginning, middle, and end, generally in sequence. They need to use character names, some important details, and have a basic understanding of most key words and concepts. If they are prompted during the retell for more information they score lower on the rubric. What part did you like best in this story? Tell me why you liked that part. The child needs to give me a specific story event or action and a relevant reason for the response. They score higher if they include an authentic personal connection. What did this story make you think of? or What connection did you make while reading this story?

At a minimum the child needs to make a literal connection that reflects a basic understanding of the story or a more thoughtful connection that reflects a deeper understanding of the story. Link to more information on Connections.

This rubric shows the "looked for behaviors" in each column. To be INDEPENDENT and to be able to move onto the next level the score totals in each section must be in the Independent or Advanced Columns. (Link to other DRA rubrics)

Many students that can read the leveled text with ease are not able to move onto the next level. They need to be taught to retell, to reflect, and to make connections. The DRA is a developmental reading assessment and even though the child may be able to read the words, they may not be able to meet all the requirements of the rubric. During your child's guided reading group, their teacher works on these strategies and many other reading skills.

Just Right Books: Your child should be bringing home books from their classroom that are "Just Right" to practice reading independently. Independently means that they read it to you with very little help. The goal of this reading is to give your child practice reading a new (unseen) text and using the strategies they are working on in their guided reading groups. I tell my students that they need to pick books like Goldilocks. Pick a book that isn't too hard, or too easy, but rather just right.

After your child successfully reads you the book one time, have them do a retell using the retell diagram below. See if they can meet the criteria in the "Independent Column" without prompting. They can also practice doing a retell after listening to books that you read to them.

Many parents offer their child help right away and don't let them apply the strategies to the new text. They want the book to be hard enough to read it several times. After one time through the book, it is usually easy because it is no longer unseen text. In most of kindergarten and first grade the challenge is learning to read the unseen text. Once they've read it, regardless of the level, it becomes easy. Reading a book multiple times is good practice too. The purpose now is reading with better expression and reading smoothly.

If your child is bringing home a book that has a "Guided Reading" sticker on the back with a letter in it, they have already read this book at least once and usually multiple times with their reading group. They are bringing it home to share it with you. Please celebrate their success and don't tell them it is too easy!

The Lone Tree Elementary library has many early reading books and all students are able to have two books checked-out at a time. Have your child take advantage of this and check out books several times each week. Visit the Lone Tree Public Library and check out a whole stack of early readers.

Research on Reading: Richard Allington, Ph.D is very well know for his books and research on reading. He states that most reading should be easy reading (high accuracy / good comprehension. He recommends an 80 (easy) / 20 (harder) ratio.

Lastly, enjoy this wonderful time with your reader, and keep in mind that your child’s reading level or the level of the book they bring home is not nearly as important as their ability to read thoughtfully and with understanding.