DRA Level 24

Uses various strategies when figuring out unknown words.

Uses context clues when figuring out words.

Uses letter clusters like blends (cl, bl, sp, st, etc.) and digraphs (sh, th, ch, wh) to solve unknown words.

Listens to their own reading and self-corrects when the word they say does not match the printed text or sound grammatically correct.

Before telling your child the word they are unable to read, ask these questions and model for your child: Does that make sense? Does that look right? Does that sound right? Does that feel right? What other word solving strategy can you use to solve that word? What do you know about this word that can help you figure out the whole word? What can you use in the text to help you figure out the unknown word?

Reading voice sounds like a conversation voice.

Puts groups of words together in short phrases while reading.

Reads with expression.

Uses punctuation to help read with expression.

Reads silently at an average rate of words per minute.

Ask this question: How do you know when your voice is supposed to change when you read?

Model for your child the change in your voice during different parts of a story and with different punctuation. Say: Listen to me read it. Now you try!

Students will be timed when reading at a Level 24; therefore, pay close attention to your child’s pacing while reading. Students will be expected to read 75 - 105 words per minute.

Can retell the story including important events and details.

Understands how conflicts and resolutions are related to previous conflicts and resolutions.

Refers to specific pages as evidence from the story to support answers, thoughts and opinions.

Makes predictions based on prior knowledge and experiences of next events in the story or to extend the story.

Predictions are constantly changing based on understanding characters, conflicts, resolutions and settings.

Can identify the theme/lesson of the text.

Can identify the most important events of the story and explain the reason for their opinion.

Compares and contrasts characters, settings, important points and key details.

For the first time at a Level 28, students will need to produce a written summary of the story in their own words. The summary should include the important characters, events and details. Students are allowed to refer back to the book to write the summary. Students will summarize using:

• In the beginning,

• Next,

• Then,

• After that,

• In the end,

Model how to identify important events to include in a retelling. For example, ask your child: What happens in the beginning of the story? What characters are introduced? What event leads to the main problem in the story? What event leads to the character(s) solving the problem? How does the story end? What do you think is the most important event in the story? Why do you think it is important? What did the character(s) learn?