Middle school teachers often face the challenge of addressing a wide range of literacy levels among their students. While some are ready for complex texts, others struggle with fundamental skills like phonics and decoding, leading to frustration and disengagement.
Consider Ms. Decker, a dedicated middle school teacher with a class of 25 students at various reading levels. When trying to find appropriate literature for her struggling readers, she discovers that her school's library only has grade-level books, along with a few graphic novels. Determined to support her students, she visits the town library and finds a selection of books at a second-grade reading level, targeting the phonics patterns she is currently teaching in her reading intervention group.
Back in class, Ms. Decker groups her students strategically and provides a mini-lesson on open syllables. She hands out the books she procured, titled “My Fluffy Bunny,” which features illustrations appealing to young children. Unfortunately, her middle school students are embarrassed by the content and return the books promptly. Ms. Decker shifts her strategy to writing sentences on the whiteboard, but her students find it difficult to remain engaged when they see their peers immersed in age-appropriate literature. By the end of the small group session, her students feel disheartened, thinking, “There are no books for me.”
The next day, determined to offer her students more age-appropriate content, Ms. Decker selects excerpts from a popular young adult novel that contains open-syllable words. After reviewing the concept and activating their skills, the students initially show excitement as they receive the new books. However, as they attempt to read, they become increasingly frustrated, stumbling over the overwhelming number of unfamiliar words.
Their engagement wanes as they struggle to decode the text, leaving them feeling defeated and reaffirming their beliefs that “maybe I’m just not a reader.”
This scenario reflects a widespread issue faced by educators striving to close literacy gaps for older students. Many teachers utilize every available resource yet struggle to find a solution that works effectively.
Enter decodable books—literature crafted with controlled text that adheres to specific phonics patterns. At first, the term “decodables” may sound like just another educational trend, destined to fade away. However, once these resources are effectively integrated into instruction, the transformation can be remarkable.
Imagine reinstating Ms. Decker’s literacy instruction with engaging decodable chapter books. After her lesson on open syllables, she hands out a decodable chapter featuring relatable characters and storylines about teenage friendships. The content is age-appropriate, with at least 75% of the words being decodable for her students. They eagerly dive in, experiencing productive struggle as they tackle the text. The excitement builds as they successfully read the entire chapter and express a desire for more. When they leave the classroom, they engage animatedly in discussions about the characters, transforming into confident readers.
Decodable books can unlock immense potential for struggling readers. While much attention has been directed at developing high-quality decodable texts for younger grades, organizations like Storyshares recognize that literacy instruction extends into middle and high school, and beyond. Our engaging and accessible decodable chapter books are specially designed to support:
- Adolescent literacy intervention
- Upper-grade small group instruction
- Structured literacy instruction for middle and high school
- Special education
- Multilingual learners
- Strategic independent reading
Through the use of decodable texts, we can empower striving older readers and create a more inclusive and motivating learning environment. The right resources can bridge literacy gaps, fostering confidence and a love for reading among all students.
Ready to make a difference with your students? Explore Storyshares Decodables or find more resources in our Educator Toolkit.