what do the numbers mean on early readers?

[mtemm]

we were at barnes and noble the other day and noticed some of the books had 1's, 2's, 3's, etc on them. On the back of the book, the number was equated with something (for instance, number 2s said reading with some help, I think). I guess my question is, are they also equated with a typical age?

The reason I'm asking is my 4 year old is reading. He pretty much taught himself to...one day I noticed he wasn't just memorizing what I was reading to him, he was actually reading books we never have read to him. I asked him about it and he acted like he's been doing this for a long time (kind of that, well, of course I'm reading, mom, look). He can easily read the stage 2 books without help. I'm just wondering what is a typical age for this.

 

[Cindy B]

I've been told (I'm a elementary ed/writing major) that the number has to do with the amount of words on the pages, the type of words on the page (rhyming, blends, digraphs), size of font and the amount/size of illustrations.

I also know that if you look at the back of books you will see a RL number. If the book says RL4.5 that would mean 4th grade, 5th month.

As for age, that depends on the publisher. Some have the age range on it after the stage.

 

[froglady]

I took it to be a guide to make it easier for parents to choose a book that will match their child's reading ability, and perhaps challenge him a bit. If your child has mastered level 1, it's time to move up to the next level. If your child is reading at level 3, a level 1 book would be too "easy" for him; a level 5 might be too challenging and he would not enjoy it.

The age guidelines are just that...general guidelines that will vary according to publisher, child, school reading program, etc.

 

[golfgal]

Like others have said, they are a level of a books difficulty, a level 1 book will probably have less then 5 words on a page (a sentence). A level 2 book will have 2-3 sentences on a page and a level 3 book will have a paragraph or two on a page, all large type. They are not GRADE level markings. They are all still for beginning readers, say kindergarten/first grade. A level 3 book is not a 3rd grade reading level for example.

 

[mtemm]

thanks! I didn't think they were grade levels, I just didn't undertand what the levels meant and was curious as to what ages they were meant for, if any.