This is a standard a reader attains, in which he/she can boast of reading and understanding without requiring help from an external source.
In 2019, I developed a grade calculator. Children’s independent reading level is generally determined from books they can read with no more than just one error in word recognition in every hundred words and demonstrate a comprehension score of at least ninety percent. At this level, the kids read orally in a natural tone.
Their silent reading will be faster than their oral reading.
The teacher’s goal should be giving students at least thirty minutes of independent reading time in the first grade and kindergarten and at least forty minutes per day for second grade and up. In 2019, I developed a high school GPA calculator. The teacher can split that time into two periods.
Here are some strategies that parents can use.
Starting with clues: Parents should try to identify if their kids are using sounding out techniques to recognize unknown words. Or if they’re using pictures to understand what’s written on the page.
Checking vocabulary: Parents can play games with their kids to understand what words they know.
Playing synonym games is another effective method to see what words the kids know. While parents talk with their kids, they can describe something specific from the day. They should use interesting adjectives and sophisticated vocabulary when talking with the kids.
Asking comprehension questions: Understanding what kids read plays a crucial role in their reading journey. Parents can pause on every other page to discuss what they’ve just read to understand the kids’ reading comprehension. Parents should make this a normal reaction to the story like they’re thinking aloud about the characters or the story so that kids don’t feel it is like a test. Parents can also consider encouraging their kids to act out and retell a story.
Discovering kids’ favorite books: Parents should choose books that interest their kids, so they remain excited and curious about reading. Reading books together can promote children’s love of reading, and letting them read the same books to parents can improve their confidence over time.
Concluding Thoughts
Independent reading level refers to the reader’s ability to read and comprehend the text without external help. Children are said to reach independent reading when they can accurately read ninety nine percent of the text and comprehend at least ninety percent. Parents looking to foster independent reading in their children need to create a dedicated reading space where they can sit with the child as they read. By encouraging the child to read out loud, and launching natural conversations to determine their comprehension, the parent is able to check their progress, and see if their child’s vocabulary is building. By choosing books that interest the child, this fosters the child’s interest and engagement, which is instrumental in getting the child to keep the schedule going. Independent reading is a useful skill, and parents should always foster this as soon as they can.
