Lexile reading level??

[Tinkermommy]

My DD is almost 9 and going into 4th grade next year. She just got her standarized test and has a lexile score of 890.

I remember way back when I was in school that your reading was indicated by grade level.

I am just trying to wrap my head around this new way of scoring and haven't found a good explanation of it.

I know that some books have the score, but I am looking for a summer reading list that will be challenging for my DD. So do I stick around 900 lexile or do I inch her a bit higher? My library doesn't have anything online for this and our school just gave us her number and no more info.

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[marlynnp]

Google!!!
There's a lot of info to choose from - here's one chart.
http://oasl.info/lexiles/ReadingLevelComps.pdf

 

[Mickeypooh99]

http://www.lexile.com/about-lexile/grade-equivalent/

http://www.lexile.com/

Our schools have been using lexiles for a long time. On the lexile website you can enter any book and it will tell you what lexile it is. In our school kids with over 900 lexile when they start 4th grade get to join the advanced reading club.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

I also wanted to point out that lexile only measures reading ability not content. Just because it is in her lexile doesn't mean it is appropriate.

I try to find books about 100 above my boys lexile levels, but it is really hard. Most books geared for younger readers are at lower lexiles. Mostly I just let them read at any level as long as they are reading something.

 

[antsss]

FYI...the Scholastic website has something called Book Wizard and it will give you the Lexile level of a book or you can do a search for books within a certain level.

 

[Tinkermommy]

I also wanted to point out that lexile only measures reading ability not content. Just because it is in her lexile doesn't mean it is appropriate.

I try to find books about 100 above my boys lexile levels, but it is really hard. Most books geared for younger readers are at lower lexiles. Mostly I just let them read at any level as long as they are reading something.

That is a problem. She is a voracious reader and I want her to be challenged, but when I went on the Lexile website even though I put her age at 9, it pulled up John Grisham! Yeah, I don't think so.

I wish her school or the library would have a summer reading list, but they just sent the score home with no other info.

 

[buckler]

My DD is entering 4th grade too and also has an 890 Lexile. If you find any series that your DD loves, please post them. I have the same problem finding books that are appropriate, yet challenging.

You can search for ideas here by putting in a Lexile range.
http://www.lexile.com/findabook/

I noticed that you can "refine your search" with the sliders on the right hand side after you do the initial search by Lexile number. You can adjust the age range. If you bump it down to the 0-8 age range that cuts out some of the more grown up books but it still left John Grisham in there! Apparently they think my daughter will enjoy reading his book "The King of Torts". I don't think so!

 

[RadioNate]

I had a big problem with this too. My DS had a very high lexile and was constantly checking out books from the library at the top of his lexile.

The Civil War and slavery one that he brought home in 1st grade was pretty challenging to explain. He had no clue about the context and didn't get it at all.

Over the years we have the same issue. He can read the book just fine but doesn't have the life experience or knowledge to understand all the content.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

My DS enjoyed the Septimus Heap series. The first book is in a lower lexile, but the next books in the series are in the 900's. If your DD likes Harry Potter (some of them are higher lexiles too) she will probably like Septimus Heap.

I'll try to think of more my DS likes.

Our teacher also recommended some picture books. They are written at higher lexiles because they are meant to be read aloud by the parent to the child. Have you asked the teacher for ideas?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

What you do is search out her genre. Once you find out what genre's really interest her then you can find many books to choose from.

 

[taximomfor4]

I say, buck the system. Ignore Lexile, etc, and just let your child read. My very advanced youngest reader (2nd grade) reads a Junie B Jones book per day. WAAAAAY too easy for her, but she likes them. As long as she is reading, I don't mind a bit.

I never followed those numbers with my others, and they are still progressing just fine in reading (2 are still very advanced readers, 1 has stayed pretty average for the past few years but has many other learning issues as well).

So I say ignore the "score" and just LET 'EM READ!!

 

[katybugsmom]

Here is a short list I found on the internet from another school district. These may or may not be appropriate for your 9 year old. Hope this helps!



Lexile Levels 800-890
TITLE AUTHOR LEXILE
Ramona Forever Cleary, B. 810
Abuelita's Heart Cordova, A. 830
The Blue Hill Meadows Rylant, C. 840
The Great Brain Fitzgerald, J. D. 840
The Black Stallion Returns Farley, W. 850
The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin Giblin, J. 880
Shiloh Naylor, P., R. 890
Petit Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood Antell, M. 890

Lexile Levels 900-990
TITLE AUTHOR LEXILE
Emily's Runaway Imagination Cleary, B. 910
Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie Gregory, K. 940
At the Plate With Ken Griffey, Jr. Christopher, M. 940
Going West Wilder, L., I. 950
Jim Davis Masefield, J. 950
Charro: the Mexican Cowboy Ancoma, G. 960
Ben & Jerry: Ice Cream for Everyone Greenberg, K., E. 990
African-Americans in the 13 Colonies Kent, D. 990

 

[tommya60]

I have a voracious reader, who has consistantly read above grade level. A great resource is a book called Some of my Best Friends are Books. Lots of good books at various levels. You might also try the old classics--the original Dr Doolittle, original Wizard of Oz series, etc. The Childern's Librarian might have a good list, too.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I had a big problem with this too. My DS had a very high lexile and was constantly checking out books from the library at the top of his lexile.

The Civil War and slavery one that he brought home in 1st grade was pretty challenging to explain. He had no clue about the context and didn't get it at all.

Over the years we have the same issue. He can read the book just fine but doesn't have the life experience or knowledge to understand all the content.

My son has the opposite problem. He struggles to stay on grade level in fluency, but the content of books he's able to read is just way too simple and easy for him. He's a very intelligent boy, he just isn't that fluent yet (first grade). Hopefully we'll be able to get a lot of reading done over the summer and it won't be as big a problem next year.

 

[golfgal]

That is a problem. She is a voracious reader and I want her to be challenged, but when I went on the Lexile website even though I put her age at 9, it pulled up John Grisham! Yeah, I don't think so.

I wish her school or the library would have a summer reading list, but they just sent the score home with no other info.

Any book a child reads will challenge them in one way or another. When our kids were in elementary school their reading program was one where they had to pick books from all different reading levels, the easier books were there to help them increase their reading speed and help with comprehension, the harder books, obviously, were there to push their reading skills to a higher level. Don't get so caught up on what they are reading and just let her pick what she wants. If you make it a chore every time she picks up a book, she will lose her love of reading. Most libraries have summer reading lists for kids and summer reading programs. Check out your local library and see what they have to offer. The children's librarian will also be of more help then anything online. She will have a good handle on what kids in your area are reading and have good suggestions for your daughter. Have your daughter go and talk with her.

Our oldest wouldn't pick up a book for anything. He would read Game Boy game books and comic books. Was that my first choice, no, but he was reading. When he was in 4th grade he tested out at a junior in college reading level. After that I stopped worrying about him reading. In 7th grade something sparked with him and he read about 100 books that year. He still is a very active reader now.

 

[buckler]

That is a problem. She is a voracious reader and I want her to be challenged, but when I went on the Lexile website even though I put her age at 9, it pulled up John Grisham! Yeah, I don't think so.

I wish her school or the library would have a summer reading list, but they just sent the score home with no other info.

Too funny! John Grisham has just released a new book aimed at tweens.

Grisham's new book about kid lawyer

""I didn't know if I could write for kids," says Grisham, "but I had a good story. I think everything goes back to the story. And I've been thinking about this story about a 13-year-old lawyer. One thing led to the other."

Gee John...your adult books are written at the 660-930 Lexile level. You've already written at the reading comprehension level of a tween and didn't know it !