#55: What’s better: Decodable books or leveled readers?
Remember That One Student Who Could “Read” Every Page… Until the Pictures Were Gone?
We’ve all had that student. You hand them a leveled reader and they’re zooming through it—”I can swim. I can jump. I can ride.” Their confidence soars… until they hit a word that doesn’t match the picture. Suddenly, they’re stuck. You realize they’ve memorized patterns and pictures—not actually learned to read.
If that hits close to home, you’re not alone. In today’s post, we’re tackling the big question: What’s the difference between decodable books and leveled readers—and which one actually helps beginning readers learn to read?
Welcome to the real talk on decodable books vs leveled readers, science of reading edition.
What Are Leveled Readers—and Why Are They Still Everywhere?
Leveled readers have been around for decades. They’re grouped by difficulty based on things like sentence length, repeated patterns, and whether the pictures match the words. Sounds logical, right?
The catch? They teach kids to guess. A typical leveled book might say:
- I can run.
- I can jump.
- I can ___ (and there’s a picture of a cat).
The student sees the cat and says “I can cat”—because the picture told them to. That’s not decoding. That’s clue-gathering. And while it might feel like reading, it doesn’t build real literacy.
Why Decodable Books Align With the Science of Reading
Now, let’s talk about decodable books. These texts are built with intention. They include only the sounds and spelling patterns your students have already learned. If a student knows the CH sound, the book might include “chat” or “chop.” If they haven’t learned that yet? It won’t appear.
That’s the magic. Decodable books:
- Reinforce phonics instruction.
- Give kids practice with real decoding.
- Help students map words in their brain: spelling → pronunciation → meaning.
- Boost confidence because they can actually read what’s in front of them.
It’s not guesswork. It’s mastery.
Practical Strategies for Teachers Stuck With Leveled Readers
Still being told to use leveled readers? You’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. Here are a few smart ways to make it work:
- Pair Them With Decodables: Use leveled readers after students have learned the phonics patterns. Treat them like a review tool.
- Shift the Purpose: Use them for listening comprehension. Read them aloud and ask students to think critically about the story instead of decoding.
- Use Student Data to Advocate: Track student growth with decodables. Share that data with your admin team—it’s hard to argue with results.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
- Why leveled readers can actually hold students back.
- The science behind decodable books—and how they build real reading skills.
- Signs that your students are ready to move on from decodables.
- Creative ways to repurpose leveled readers without compromising phonics.
- How to use student data to advocate for change in your school.
Bringing It All Together
Here’s the bottom line: Decodable books build real readers. Leveled readers often train guessers. If you’re committed to giving your students strong decoding skills, science (and results) say decodables are the way to go.
Still, many schools aren’t there yet—and that’s okay. With a few smart tweaks, you can honor the science of reading and work within your school’s system.
Want More Support?
Ready to ditch the guesswork and get your hands on high-quality decodable books that actually match your phonics instruction?
👉 Join The Science of Reading Formula for ready-to-use decodable books, training, and the step-by-step system that makes this all so much easier. Your students—and your sanity—will thank you.
LINKS
Penguin Nonfiction Decodable Books
Weather Nonfiction Decodable Books
Preview the Formula Vault to find more decodable books!
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!
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