Text Selection

In our class we have started discussing emerging readers and how students get started reading.  Assigned in our class was an article by Dr. Karen Wohlwend.  The article is Guide to Text Selection: Teacher Prompts and Book Notes for Parents.  It seems to be first hand examples applied in a classroom.  It starts with a newsletter for parents called Book Notes. 

The Book Notes letter describes a level range for a student and what you can expect as a parent.  It describes to parents in sections; When I am reading on my own, I can:, When I am reading with help, I am learning to:, and finally how my parents can help:.  The newsletter is shown throughout the article for each set of levels to describe them to parents.  This is a great way to keep parents informed and involved in their child's learning.  Particularly with such a crucial skill like reading.  I have heard from many professors or current teachers to send newsletters to parents to keep them in the loop.  I especially like how this one is laid out and is very informative for the parents. 

The different levels usually are grouped in 2-5 levels at a time.  It starts at 1 and goes through 24 and beyond.  The levels are broken down as follows:
Early Emergent Levels (1-4)
Upper Emergent Levels (5-8)
Early Fluency Levels (9-12)
Fluency Level (13-14)
Transitional Level (18-22)
Transitional and Independent Levels (24 and beyond)

In each level it is described by book characteristics and then other areas that those students would be learning.  For example Fluency Levels 13-14 have these areas. 
Book Characteristics
This tells different characteristics a reader at this level needs in a book for it to be effective.  A great description especially for new teachers.
Self-Introduction
Students should be self-introducing books to themselves by looking at the entire book.  
Readers at the Fluency Level
Well on their way to becoming independent readers
Self Correction
Self correcting independently
A self-Extending System
List of what the student should be doing at this point during reading.  Example is search for cues using meaning, syntax and visual cues. 

This was a great article and guide to help teachers choose appropriate text for students.  I will use this as an example for the newsletter for parents in my classroom.  The levels are described in detail and easy to follow for teachers.  If applied correctly could be a great system to help young readers.  As a soon to be first year teacher, it could be overwhelming and a example like this could ease the pain.