CHARACTERISTICS AT EACH LEVEL

Guided Reading Levels K-6

6 T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z 5 Q-R-S-T-U-V-W

4 M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T 3 J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q

2 E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N 1 A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I

K A-B-C-D

Levels A/B

Plot and Setting Familiar settings close to reader’s

experience Stories implied by pictures Character Mostly nameless “flat” charactersLanguage and Theme Repeating language patterns Familiar themes and ideas

Levels C/D

Plot and Setting Familiar settings close to reader’s experienceCharacter Amusing one-dimensional charactersLanguage and Theme Repeating language patterns Very familiar themes and ideas Simple dialogue assigned by said in most

texts

Levels E/F/G

Plot and Setting Many light, humorous stories, typical of

childhood experiencesCharacter Amusing or engaging one-dimensional

charactersLanguage and Theme Simple sequence of events Simple and split dialogue, speaker assigned

Levels H/I/J

Plot and Setting More episodes and less repetition Narrative texts organized in predictable waysCharacter Amusing or engaging one-dimensional

charactersLanguage and Theme Greater variety in themes, going beyond

everyday events Full variety in presentation of dialogue

Levels K/L/M

Plot and Setting Overall Book structure is either stories across

chapters, undefined scenes within the book, or episodic chapters

Series books are common Problem/solution plotline is common Settings usually familiar to reader Settings change chapter to chapter, but not

usually within a chapter Dialogue may be unassigned. Often untagged

dialogue is a continuation of the dialogue that came before it, with a dialogue tag in between

Levels K/L/M

Character Traits, thoughts, and feelings of the main

characters are usually stated in the text or illustrated in the pictures

Characters rarely change, though they may show another side of themselves or change their feelings about something by the end of the story

Main characters usually learn a clear lesson Secondary characters move plot but don’t

have a major effect on main character.

Levels K/L/M

Vocabulary & Figurative Language

Some unfamiliar vocabulary and phrases that are usually essential to the understanding

Unfamiliar vocabulary and phrases can be figured out with support of pictures

Themes & Ideas Easily accessible to readers Sometimes explicitly stated or easy to infer

from the problem and solution to the story

Levels K/L/M

Plot and Setting Overall Book structure is either stories across

chapters, undefined scenes within the book, or episodic chapters

Series books are common Problem/solution plotline is common Settings usually familiar to reader Settings change chapter to chapter, but not usually

within a chapter Dialogue may be unassigned. Often untagged

dialogue is a continuation of the dialogue that came before it, with a dialogue tag in between

Levels N/O/P/Q

Plot and Setting Each chapter has many events told in detail Plotlines become complex, driven by the character

wants and follows character’s internal and external journey

More than one aspect of the main problem Some new plot-structure elements may start Time passes quickly in some sections of narration, and

the time-changes between chapters may be less overt and obvious

Illustrations are spare and often show one small part of a scene

Levels N/O/P/Q

Character Main characters are more complex. They

may demonstrate different aspects of their personality and have traits, thoughts, and feelings that conflict

Main characters change and learn lessons Secondary characters may be complex Secondary characters affect the main

character

Levels N/O/P/Q

Vocabulary & Figurative Language Vocabulary may be unexplained by context.

Dialogue tagged with a variety of verbs and adverbs

Metaphors, similes, and words and phrases that are used figuratively and/or have connotative meanings, appear and become essential to understanding characters, plot or setting

Themes and Ideas Might deal with important human problems and

social issues

Levels R/S/T

Plot and Setting Plotlines are complex often driven by character wants. The

internal journey of the character helps a reader understand the external plot. The main character faces multiple conflicts and/or obstacles, both internal and external.

Unfamiliar settings should be expected and must be understood. The setting(s) may be distant time or place. Setting has an impact on plot and characters.

Specific descriptions of setting require visualizing Challenging plot-structure elements such as flashbacks,

subplots and multiple plotlines. Stretches of narration give the back-story on character

and/or move the story through time

Levels R/S/T

Character A reader can develop an interpretation of a main

character by synthesizing multiple traits and characters’ perspectives.

To understand secondary characters, the reader needs to see them from multiple perspectives. The main character’s view of them may change across the course of the story.

Relationships between main characters and various secondary characters are important.

Main character changes and learns lesson Secondary characters may be complex

Levels R/S/T

Vocabulary & Figurative Language There is a heavy load of complex vocabulary that may relate to

unfamiliar settings or topics. Metaphors, similes, and words and phrases that are used

figuratively and/or have connotative meanings, appear and become essential to understanding characters, plot or setting

Themes and Ideas Might deal with important human problems, social issues, and/or

cultural diversity Symbolism may be used and can offer insights into the story’s

characters and/or themes Some themes require emotional maturity on the part of the reader.

Levels U/V/W

Plot and Setting Plotlines are more complex Specific descriptions of setting require

visualizing. Setting may help communicate the mood or tone of a scene.

Challenging plot-structure elements such as flashbacks, flash-forwards, foreshadowing, and subplots and multiple plotlines.

Stretches of narration give the back-story on character and/or move the story through time

Levels U/V/W

Character Main characters are complex. They may

demonstrate different aspects of their personality and have traits, thoughts, and/or feelings that conflict. A reader should often question a character’s motivations and value system.

Main characters change and learn lessons. To understand the secondary characters, the reader

needs to see them from multiple perspectives. Relationships between main characters and various

secondary characters are important.

Levels U/V/W

Vocabulary & Figurative Language There is a heavy load of complex vocabulary that may relate to

unfamiliar settings or topics. Metaphors, similes, and words and phrases that are used

figuratively and/or have connotative meanings, appear and become essential to understanding characters, plot or setting

Themes and Ideas Some themes are easily accessible to middle-grade readers. Some themes require emotional maturity on the part of the

reader. Symbolism is prevalent and offers insights into the story’s

characters and/or themes.