STAGES of READING DEVELOPMENT`

The Major Qualitative Characteristics and How They Are Acquired

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Stage 0: Pseudo Reading

Preschool (ages 6 months to 6 years)

Stage 0
Major

Qualitative Characteristics and Masteries by End of Stage

Pretend reading Retells story from pictures Names alphabet letters Prints own name Plays with books, pencils, paper

Stage 0

How Acquired

Being read to by someone who responds to childs interest Being provided with books, paper, pencils, letters, time

Stage 0

Most can understand childrens picture books and stories read to them Can understand thousands of the words they hear by age 6, but can read few if any of them
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Relationship of Reading to Listening

Stage 1: Initial reading and decoding

Grade 1 and beginning Grade 2 (ages 6 and 7)
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Stage 1
Major

Qualitative Characteristics and Masteries by End of Stage

Learns relation between letters and sounds and between printed and spoken words Able to read simple text containing high-frequency words and phonically regular words Sounds out new onesyllable words

Stage 1

How acquired

Direct instruction and practice in letter-sound relationships Reading of simple stories using simple phonic patterns and high frequency words Being read to at a higher level to develop advanced language patterns, new words, and ideas
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Stage 1

Childs reading level is much below the language that is understood when heard At end of stage, most children understand 6,000 or more words but can read only about 600.
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Relationship

of

Reading to Listening

Stage 2: Confirmation and Fluency

Grades 2 and 3 (ages 7 and 8)
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Stage 2
Major

Qualitative Characteristics and Masteries by End of Stage

Reads simple stories with increasing fluency Learns to consolidate decoding, sight vocabulary, & meaning context to read stories and selections
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Stage 2

How

acquired

Direct instruction in advanced decoding skills Wide reading w/ instructional and independent materials Being read to at levels above their own to develop language, vocabulary and concepts
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Stage 2

About 3,000 words can be read 9,000 or more words in listening vocabulary Listening is still more effective than reading

Relationship

of

Reading to Listening

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Stage 3: Reading for Learning the New

Grades 4-8 (ages 9-13)
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Stage 3: Phase A & B

A. Intermediate, grades 4-6

B. Junior high school, grades 7-9

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Stage 3
Major

Qualitative Characteristics and Masteries by End of Stage

For the first time, may be responsible for reading independently to -learn new ideas, -gain new knowledge, -experience new feelings and attitudes Generally from one viewpoint

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Stage 3

How

Acquired

Reading/studying textbooks, reference works, trade books, newspapers, magazines Being exposed to unfamiliar vocabulary and syntax Systematic study of words Reacting to text through discussions and writing Reading of more complex fiction, non-fiction, etc.
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Stage 3

Relationship

of

Reading to Listening

At beginning, listening comprehension is still more effective than reading By the end, reading and listening are about equal For good readers, reading is more efficient
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Stage 4: Multiple Viewpoints

High school, grades 10-12 (ages 15-17)
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Stage 4
Major

Qualitative Characteristics and Masteries by End of Stage

Reading widely from a broad range of complex materials-expository and narrative Able to deal with multiple viewpoints

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Stage 4

How

Acquired

Wide reading and study of science and humanities as well as newspapers and magazines Systematic study of words and word parts Formal and creative writing
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Stage 4

Reading comprehension is better than listening comprehension of difficult material For poorer readers, listening comprehension may be equal to reading
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Relationship

of

Reading to Listening

Stage 5: Construction and Reconstruction

College and beyond (age 18+)
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Stage 5
Major

Qualitative Characteristics and Masteries by End of Stage

Reading is used for ones own needs and purposes Serves to integrate ones knowledge with that of others to synthesize and create new knowledge It is rapid and efficient

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Stage 5

Wide reading of ever more difficult materials

How

Acquired

Writing papers, tests, essays that call for integration of varied knowledge and points of view
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Stage 5

Reading is more efficient than listening

Relationship

of Reading to Listening
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Implications:

Stage 3 is necessary for the industrial workplace Stage 4 is an absolute for the informational age Many readers never get beyond Stage 3 and most reading instruction ends before students are adept at Stage 3 skills Most remediation is done in Stage 1 and Stage 2 as well as Stage 3A However, Stage 3A depends so heavily on adequate Stage 1 & 2 skills that decoding and fluency may be more important for older students whose comprehension seems low
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