Lexile Reading Help! (long)

[I Intrigue You]

I'm hoping that the awesome people of the Dis might be able to lend some advice regarding Lexile reading

My DD is in the 5th Grade and her current lexile reading level is 1115....Our problem is this. I received a note from DD reading teacher asking that I assist Ashlynne in finding books at her reading level. OK I thought this wouldn't be a big problem but, we can't find many that she is interested in and they few that she has found seem to be way over her head.....they seem to be very adult.

So my question is this....Has anyone else had this come up with their child? If so what kind of books were you able to find for your child?

I've been going to Lexile.com & all the books she wants to read fall in the 800-900 range and her teacher said she will not accept anymore book reports on books that are lower than her reading range I just can't imagine forcing my child to read books that don't interest her.

 

[disneymom3]

I don't quite get this. Is she only allowed to pick books that are on the Lexile list? There is a book by Madeleine L'engle called Meet the Austins that is at 1050 on the scale. Caddie Woodlawn is only rated at 890 and the Little House books are about the same as is Anne of Green Gables and a few others I really like. Rebecca of Sunny Brook Farm is at like 1190 and that is a good one for that age.

There are a ton of books I looked up that aren't on the list at all. I would suggest asking the teacher what she would recommend and pointing out that just because a child is a good reader it doesn't mean that they are ready for the subject matter in many books that are "at their level."

 

[I Intrigue You]

Yes, she is only allowed submit book reports on books that are on the Lexile list. Thanks for reminding me of Rebecca of Sunny Brook....I'm hoping she will like it.

 

[disneymom3]

Well, not to be rude, but that is really dumb. If it was a more comprehensive list, that would be one thing, but there are a lot of really great books that are not even on that list at all. What's up with that? I am thinking I would have to be talking to someone about that.

When my DD was in Kindergarten she was at the point where she was reading chapter books, but the librarian at her school would only let the kindergarteners check out picture books. Kind of the opposite problem you are having. I went in to meet with her, and the prinipal separately. The principal agreed with me, and supposedlly they changed the policy but my DD certainly couldn't get any help finding the books she wanted. Frustrating to have to deal with the system some days.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Have you checked your local library??? I know that ours has an extensive "lexile" list.

 

[WDWAurora]

I can't find any that approach that level with appropriate content...I agree with a previous poster-she may read well enough to read books at that level, but that does not mean the content is age appropriate. I would wager that the school library does not have any books that high in it.

 

[LanaJayne]

Louisa Mae Alcott books rate in 1100-1200 range... Little Women, Little Men.
I would also ask the teacher for input.
Good Luck!

 

[WDWAurora]

Wow I didn't even think to put those in because they seemed "lower level" than the ones I was putting in...Guess I underrated those!! Those would be great for a 5th grade girl!!

 

[rascalmom]

Our school system uses AR instead of Lexile, but I had a similar problem with my girls. Have you looked at the Harry Potter books - not sure what their rating is but I know they were fine for my daughter to do a report on in 4th or 5th grade & meet her reading level requirement. Gone With the Wind and To Kill a Mockingbird were 2 others we read about that time. I know what you mean about subject matter - fantasy fiction helps some in this area. Is she ready for the Lord of the Rings? My older daughter loved them, but my younger daughter had no interest in them.

 

[rascalmom]

Around the World in 80 Days was another.