Choosingthe right gradedreadersfor young learners

Rachel Wilson
A child and a adult reading a book together in a library
Reading time: 4.5 minutes

Picking out the right graded readersfor your young learnerstakes a little thought.There are thousands and thousands of stories out there. Not only do you have to find the right level but also arange ofbooksthat will keep them captivatedas they learn to read.

In this brief guide, I’ll be helping you to choose the right Disney Kids Readers for your students, so they can participate in guided and independent reading in class and at home.

Let’s delve in.

First, what’s the difference between guided and independent reading?

Guided reading

In class, students typically read aloud in a small group with a teacher. The teacher supports the children as they decode the words, navigate elements of pronunciation, and make sense of the meaning. At home, a child reads aloud to a parent or caregiver. This is a terrific way to involve parents in a child’s path toward reading fluency.

Independent reading

Independent reading, on the other hand, is when students read silently to themselves. These studentsarealreadyreadingwith some confidence. They candecode common words and have a good handle on sight words.Their reading speed is fluent enough to focus on the meaning ofthe text.

Graded readers can help with leveling

So, how do you know which reader to choose for your students? Well, graded readers are already organizedby level. They also often provide metrics to help teachers make informed decisions about what reading level a child is at.

Let’stake a lookat Disney Kids Readers as an example:

Age and level-appropriate stories

Disney Kids Readers have six levels. The number of words per page and the number of pages per story are consistent in each level.

For example, Level 3 stories have up to 40 words per page and 20 pages per story. As a child moves up through the reading levels, the books become longer and morecomplex.

Word lists

To write the stories, authors use lists of common, high-frequency words. Level 1, for example, has a word list of 200 words. Level 6 has a word list of 1,200 words. These are called “headwords.”

In this way, the vocabulary load is manageable for learners. Even better, learnerscome into contact withthe same words again and again throughout the readers, which builds their vocabulary.

Of course, it’s difficult to write an engaging story for children using only headwords. So, the readers also include a few low-frequency, high-interest words, like “lantern” or “tower.” These words then go in a Picture Dictionary or Glossary at the back of the book to support student understanding.

From Level 3, Disney Tangled,Picture Dictionaryp.23

Grammar syllabus

The authors write using a grammar syllabus for each level. For example, regular past simple is introduced in Level 3 readers, around the same time that students are learning this verb tense in their general English lessons. As children read, they see examples of the regular past simple within the stories.

Teachers canuse theDisney Kids Readers’Scope and Sequenceto see which language structures are covered at each level.

Lexile® measure

Every Disney Kids Reader is assigned a Lexile® measure. This is a global standard for measuring text complexity. Generally, longer sentences and more low-frequency words in a text lead to a higher Lexile® measure. This gives teachers and parents a way to compare these readers against any other book with a Lexile® measure.

It also means that you can arrange the graded readers from the lowest to the highest score. You can be confident that the readers you choose are gradually becoming more complex as your young learners become more skilled at reading.

Global Scale of English

TheGlobal Scale of English(GSE) is a standardized, granular scale from 10 to 90 that measures English language proficiency. It’s aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

Every level of Disney Kids Readers sits within a band on the GSE. For example, the range for Level 1 is 16–27, while Level 6 is 36–48. If you know the GSE or CEFR level of your students’ general English coursebook, you can match the graded readers to the same level.

Each reader includes a handy chart on the back cover.

Cisfor“comfortable”

Independent reading: Reading the text should be easy—with almost every word familiar to the student. In this way, they can focus on enjoying and understanding what they’re reading., a leading expert on teaching and learning vocabulary, suggests that two new words for every 100 words is the right fit for comfortable, independent reading.

Guided reading: Reading the text should help the student practice the reading skills they’re learning, such as using context to understand words, language structures, letter-sound relationships, and reading comprehension.

Tips for working out the comfort level:

  • Make an estimate of a child’s reading level based on what you already know about theirabilities, anduse the tools available to you in the graded reader. Then start at the level below that. It’s safer to start low and go up, than the other way around.
  • Have the child read a passage out loud to you from a book at this level. Aim for them to read about 100 words. As they read, make a note of the number of errors they make so that you can get a rough idea of whether they arehitting a target of about 90% accuracy.

E is for “enjoyable”

We wantreading to beenjoyableforour young learners.If they aregivenbooksthat they can understand and that theyfind interesting,there’samuchbetterchancethat they’ll developa love of reading.

Tipsformaking reading enjoyable:

  • Neverrefer to readingbooksas“homework
  • Let children pick books that interest them once they know their reading level
  • Includea range of fiction and non-fictionreading materialin the library
  • Encouragechildrento read all kinds of material: poetry,graphicnovels,articles,plays,profiles, in addition to stories.

Whether you’re aseasoned school owner, teacher, or parent,you can usethesetipsto get your children reading with confidenceanddevelopinga love of reading to last a lifetime.What could be better than that?

References

Extensive Reading and Vocabulary Learning, Paul Nation, Victoria University of Wellington, YouTube, 2020

More blogs from app

  • A university teacher stood in front of a class, responding to a student thats sat with their hand up

    Choosing the right English test is like hiring the perfect tour guide

    By Abi Fordham
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    Imagine planning a trip to a new city. Sure, you could wander around on your own, relying on internet reviews and vague directions, or you could hire a tour guide... someone who knows the streets, understands the landmarks, and can give you a genuine and knowledge-filled experience.

    Now, would you pick a tour guide who just started last week, or would you look to one who has been showing people around for decades, refining their approach and knowing all the ins and outs of the landscape?

    That’s the difference experience makes.

    Why experience in testing matters

    Just like an expert guide ensures you experience the best parts of a city because they’ve explored every corner before, a test backed by years of research and constant refinement delivers reliable, accurate results for international admissions teams. app has spent years perfecting its approach to language assessment, not only through research but also by learning from every test taken.

    Each test provides valuable data, feeding into ongoing improvements, ensuring that assessments remain fair, precise, and aligned with real-world English proficiency needs.

    The result? Universities can trust they’re admitting students based on a system that gets smarter with every exam, reducing unpredictability and reinforcing reliability.

    English Tests designed by experts

    Both PTE Academic and app English Express Test benefit from app’s expertise:

    • PTE Academic: A globally trusted exam designed to measure real-world English proficiency with precision.
    • app English Express Test: Fast and convenient skills assessment, backed by the same deep research ensuring fairness and accuracy.

    Final thought: Choose experience

    When you pick the right guide who is backed with expertise, it can transform your experience from ordinary to unforgettable. Likewise, choosing a well-established proficiency test, refined through years of experience, gives universities the confidence to make informed admissions decisions.

    app has spent decades perfecting the science of language assessment—so why leave such a critical choice to uncertainty?

  • Students studying outside at a table

    Why accepting app English Express Test is a great opportunity for US Institutions

    By Abi Fordham
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    By being early adopters of the app English Express Test, US universities and institutions can ensure they remain competitive and attractive to a global pool of students. Students seeking to study in the US may prefer institutions that recognize this flexible and convenient testing option, which can enhance their overall application experience. This proactive approach can help universities stand out and draw in top international talent.

    Whilst the app English Express Test can open doors to a wealth of opportunities for students eager to study in the US, early acceptance also provides significant advantages for the institutions themselves.

    The app English Express Test is designed to be a convenient and accessible option for students worldwide. Unlike traditional tests that may require extensive travel, this test can be taken online, offering students the flexibility to complete it from their own homes. This is particularly beneficial for students in remote areas, far from a test centre or those juggling multiple commitments. By accepting the app English Express Test, US universities can cater to a broader range of applicants, ensuring they don't miss out on talented individuals who might otherwise be deterred by logistical challenges.

    While tests like PTE Academic provide a comprehensive assessment of English proficiency, the app English Express Test serves as a valuable complement. It offers a quicker, more streamlined option for students who need to demonstrate their language skills promptly. By accepting both tests, US universities can offer a more flexible and inclusive admissions process.

    For admissions teams, the inclusion of the app English Express Test can significantly enhance efficiency and effectiveness. The streamlined nature of the test means quick turnaround times for results, allowing admissions teams to make faster decisions. This agility can be a competitive advantage, positioning the university as a forward-thinking institution that prioritizes student needs. Additionally, by offering a convenient testing option, universities can attract a broader pool of applicants, leading to a more diverse and inclusive student body.

    US universities should consider being among the first to accept the app English Express Test. This strategic move addresses diverse student needs, complements existing testing options, enhances the admissions process, and boosts institutional reputation.

    Adopting the app English Express Test is a forward-thinking decision that benefits both students and institutions, ensuring that US universities remain competitive in the global education landscape.

  • three university students sat outside in a courtyard looking at a laptop together

    The benefits of using the Score Report Website for PTE Academic and app English Express Test

    By Abi Fordham
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    US institutions are always on the lookout for ways to enhance their admissions processes. One effective strategy is leveraging the Score Report Website for both PTE Academic and app English Express Test. This platform offers numerous benefits that can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of admissions teams.

    Simplified score access and verification

    The Score Report Website provides a centralized platform where admissions teams can easily access and verify test scores. This eliminates the need for paper-based score reports and reduces the risk of errors associated with manual data entry. By using this digital platform, institutions can quickly retrieve accurate and up-to-date test taker scores for both PTE Academic and app English Express Test, ensuring a smooth and reliable admissions process.

    Enhanced security and accuracy

    One of the key advantages of the Score Report Website is its robust security features. The platform uses secure login protocols to protect sensitive student data.

    app’s score report website also ensures that scores cannot be tampered with, as they are sent directly through the system. This means the score that an institution sees, is the score that was awarded to a test taker. This level of security and accuracy builds trust with both students and institutions, making the admissions process more reliable.

    Faster decision-making

    The Score Report Website offers real-time access to test scores, allowing admissions teams to make quicker decisions. This is particularly beneficial during peak admissions periods when timely decisions are crucial. The platform's ability to provide instant access to scores means that institutions can respond promptly to applicants, enhancing the overall student experience.

    Cost-effective and environmentally friendly

    By embracing a digital score reporting system, institutions can reduce the costs associated with printing and mailing paper-based score reports. This not only saves money but also supports sustainability efforts by reducing paper waste. The Score Report Website aligns with the growing trend of digital transformation in higher education, promoting a more eco-friendly approach to admissions.

    Improved communication with applicants

    app's Score Report Website allows institutions to share scores with multiple departments and stakeholders seamlessly. This facilitates better communication and collaboration within the admissions team.

    Trust app with your applicants

    Using the Score Report Website to accept PTE Academic and app English Express Test applicants is a strategic move that positions your institution as a forward-thinking leader in higher education, committed to efficiency and security.