Just Right Books: Fountas and Pinnell

When children can read a book that they can both 'decode' (read the words) and 'comprehend' (understanding the meaning), reading is well on its way! Providing children many opportunities to read books that  are 'just right' and at their instructional level gives children many chances to practice decoding and comprehending to build their reading muscles. Just right books aren't too easy and they aren't too hard. Just right books are at the instructional level and stretches the child just enough so they don't become frustrated but continue to grow as a reader - they are just right!

In addition, it is important to remember that children should also have exposure to all types of books that they enjoy reading. This means, it is totally okay if your child reads the same picture book repeatedly that you know may be too easy for them because it can bring your child happy memories of when they were learning to read. It is also okay if your child chooses a difficult book on a highly motivating topic with lots of pictures, diagrams and images, every once in a while because they are focused on a particular topic of interest! 

Building reading confidence is important. To do this, students should be exposed to many types of texts, genres, and moments where the act of reading and thinking of oneself as a reader brings them satisfaction, feelings of accomplishment and connection.