Look below to learn more about the specific attributes of each Guided Reading Level.
- Sentences include more embedded phrases and clauses
- More variety in language including some literary language
- Topics range beyond the familiar
- Genres include realistic fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction (simple informational books)
- Font size may vary
- Texts range from ten to twenty pages
- Text structure is more complex, often with several simple episodes
- More characters, but not very developed
- Picture support is moderate
- Increase number of words and lines of print
- Greater variety of high frequency words
- Frequent dialogue and full range of punctuation
- More multisyllable words and less common spelling patterns
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- Language reflects patterns that are more characteristic of written language than spoken language
- Concepts are more distant from local knowledge or the everyday world
- Some texts have abstract ideas which require discussion
- Themes emerge
- Genres include realistic fiction, human and animal fantasy, simple folktales, and nonfiction (informational texts)
- Text range from ten to thirty pages
- Full range of punctuation to enhance meaning
- Longer texts may have longer sentences and/or more lines of text per page and shorter texts
- May have unusual language patterns or technical words
- Greater variety in vocabulary
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- Sentences are longer with many embedded clauses
- Several high frequency words which increase in difficulty
- Large number of decodable words with regular and irregular patterns
- Several episodes with a variety of characters
- Ideas and vocabulary are more challenging with some specialized vocabulary
- Story line is carried by the text
- Pictures support and extend meaning
- Readers are expected to remember information and action over a longer reading time
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- Language is not repetitious
- Full range of high frequency words
- Size and placement of print varies widely
- Some repeated episodes
- Content moves away from familiar experiences
- Genres include realistic fiction, fantasy, folktales, and nonfiction (informational texts)
- Characters tend to learn and change
- Picture support is used to enhance and extend meaning as well as arouse interest
- Story events require interpretation
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- Multiple episodes are highly elaborated
- Most text lengths are about the same as G and H (ten to thirty pages) but have smaller print size
- Some longer texts thirty to forty pages
- Texts use a great deal of dialogue
- Pictures enhance meaning but provide little support for precise word solving and meaning
- Complex word solving is required with multi-syllable words
- Paragraphs and sentences are longer
- Readers transition to texts that my call for sustaining interest and meaning over several reading periods
- Some chapter-like books
- Most books are narrative (realistic fiction, fantasy, and folktales) with a plot and solution
- Informational books are shorter with more difficult content
- Characters and story events require interpretation
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Sources: Leveled Books for Readers Grades 3-6 (Fountas & Pinnell) and Matching Books to Readers: Using Leveled Books in Guided Reading, K-3 (Fountas & Pinnell)
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