Reading Levels for Everyone!

So I was discussing with a group of teachers how easy it is these days to take ANYthing you come across and determine it's reading level.  Differentiating for even the most struggling readers has never been this easy.

First of all, let's talk about finding resources:

To find great resources.

Did you know that you can use Google search to search by reading level for a student, Here's how:

GREAT!

Now, what if you already have something and want to evaluate it's reading level.  Not that hard either.

1.  Copy and paste the document or website into microsoft word.
Click Tools, Grammer and Spelling, Options

Then Click "show readability statistics"

Nice!

What about resources for Online.  

Online Resources:

Book title, Author or ISBN number into: http://lexile.com/

Also Lexile has an analyzer that's pretty good but you have to register: http://lexile.com/analyzer/

Copy and paste the web address, paste text, or embed this into your webpage of something you find here: http://www.read-able.com/

Test a book using Scholastic Book wizard: http://www.scholastic.com/bookwizard/

Enter text or copy and paste: http://www.online-utility.org/english/readability_test_and_improve.jsp

DIY Method

At Home Method from: http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/readinglevel.htm

CAUTION: Math involved!

You can use a formula to calculate Flesch-Kincaid reading level on your own. This is a good tool to determine whether a book is going to challenge you.

1. Select a few paragraphs to use as your base.
2. Calculate the average number of words per sentence. Multiply the result by 0.39
3. Calculate the average number of syllables in words (count and divide). Multiply the result by 11.8
4. Add the two results together
5. Subtract 15.59

The result will be a number that equates to a grade level. For example, a 6.5 is a sixth grade reading level result.

Mad props and thanks to great educators on twitter:

I love having  Professional Learning Network (PLN) to rely on!

The Incomparable Michelle

Cherie

PantherFan

Shervette

and of course

Mike

Have any other resources you love?  Add them in the comments section: