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Why should I use decodable readers?

 Why should I use decodable readers?



Before we being, let's define a "decodable reader".  When I say "decodable reader" I am referring to texts that are created with a fixed set of sounds and early highly frequent words.  These texts are primarily composed with the phonics skill set of the reader in mind.  The goal of the reading is to practice the application of phonics patterns in decoding words and to experience accurate reading.


There are pros and cons to using decodable readers and I have not always been a fan.....now I am.

Let's take a look at some of the pros first.  
  • Phonics Patterns- Reading research tells us that when students internalize and apply phonetic patterns, they are able to "unlock" text and decode successfully.  
  • Learning phonics patterns enables students to successfully attack/decode words with real results instead of trial and error or other less effective strategies (think relying on picture or context clues).  Knowing the sounds is a more reliable approach when others may not always work for students.
  • Using decodable readers provides students with an opportunity to practice the application of previously learned sounds.  It gives them a text experience with sounds that they know.
  • Decodable readers build student confidence.  This is a BIG one!  Struggling readers or early readers need to feel what it is like to be a successful reader to keep them invested in reading.  Giving students decodable readers lets them show what they know and helps them see themselves as readers.  
  • Continued and consistent use of decodable readers provides a scaffold for other more authentic texts.  As students gain confidence and experience in using their phonics strategies to read words in text, they are more equipped to tackle authentic texts in guided reading.  The goal is to get to authentic texts, but the decodable readers provide that bridge for struggling and early readers to get there.
  • Rereading decodable stories builds further fluent reading behaviors and makes phonetic blending more automatic.  This can be done with simple authentic texts as well, but with decodable readers it's all about the accuracy.
Now the cons....(with some commentary)
  • Early decodable texts (meaning texts with limited sounds to use) are limited in their content and can have rather contrived stories.  This is the biggest drawback in my personal opinion.  However, we have to weigh out our goals.  If your goal is to get students to successfully decode and be accurate in reading, then that may trump the deep content of an authentic text.  Remember that you can always engage in interactive read alouds, shared reading, and highly supported guided reading to get at comprehension.  These should not be the only sources of literacy for any student, they are a tool.
  • They are not authentic text....see my comments above.
As long as we remember that literacy instruction has many components to address all of our objectives, then decodable readers have a sound place in that plan.  I fought using decodable readers at one time.  I thought that because they were not "real" books (authentic text) that they were not good enough for instruction.  After gaining my Reading Specialist degree and certification and obtaining a 30 hour Orton Gillingham training I changed my tune.  Take it from a former skeptic, many students need to use decodable readers.  I would now fight wholly to have them in my instruction if they were ever threatened.  I would fight to have them for my teachers as well, but most importantly I would fight for my students.  

Visit my TPT store, Simply Primary, for a set of early phonics readers! This set includes:
  • 5 decodable readers with limited sounds
  • word cards
  • guided reading note pages (2 versions)
  • each book includes:
    • lesson plans
    • coordinating word hunts (2 versions each book)
    • after reading writing activity for sentences
Please leave a comment if you have any questions or would like to know more about decodable readers.  Let me know what you need!

THANKS!
Kristin
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