Learn to read by Jas Pang

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Seven levels of reading

A guide for teachers and parents

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A guide for teachers and parents

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About the Usborne Reading Programme

Notes for teachers

The Reading Programme experts

The Usborne Reading Programme Framework

First Reading: Level One

First Reading: Level Two

First Reading: Level Three

First Reading: Level Four

Young Reading: Series One

Young Reading: Series Two

Young Reading: Series Three

Audio and DVD

Titles available

Illustration by Robin Lawrie from Napoleon

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The Usborne Reading Programme was launched in 2002, and has since sold over six million books worldwide. The programme consists of seven levels, within which a wide variety of titles is designed to capture the imagination and build the confidence of beginner readers, and also to motivate and inspire those who find reading difficult or dull. From one level to the next, there is a gradual but clear progression in terms of subject, style, narrative length, sentence structure and vocabulary, giving children the satisfaction of mastering real books and making measurable progress without overstretching them and causing them to lose enthusiasm. The Usborne Reading Programme combines vivid, engaging writing with captivating full-colour illustration on every page, featuring the work of artists from around the world, together with superb contemporary and archive photography. From classic tales to lively non-fiction, and from exquisite watercolours to cartoons, there is something to appeal to everyone.

Illustration by Mauro Evangelista from The Wizard of Oz

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The Usborne Reading Programme has been developed in consultation with Alison Kelly, a leading expert in early years education, who helped to draw up the seven-level framework (see pages 8â&#x20AC;&#x201C;11). Alison assesses and advises on all titles as they are prepared for publication. Many non-fiction titles also draw on the expertise of a range of specialists in their subject areas. A number of these tie in with key topics in the UK National Curriculum, especially for history.

The Usborne Reading Programme is an outstanding success all round. Children are won over by fresh, engaging writing and illustration on perennially popular subjects. Parents can support their childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reading in the vital early stages, knowing that the books are not only attractive and fun but underpinned by Usborne values and a sound framework. Schools can make use of the books in class, for homework and in the library, to stretch the able and engage those in need of support.

Illustration by Katie Lovell from How Elephants Lost their Wings

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The Usborne Reading Programme is a valuable addition to the English language teacher’s resources: ●

Lively writing and superb illustration capture the reader’s interest, and motivate and encourage to read on and read more;

●

The seven-level framework (see pages 8–11) allows pupils to progress and gain confidence level by level, not only in terms of overall length but also complexity of plot, sentence structure, vocabulary and grammatical structure;

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The wide variety of subjects and genres offers something for everyone, allowing pupils to pursue their own interests – a priceless motivational tool;

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Fluent, well-constructed prose provides a sound model for pupils’ own writing;

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Audio and DVD packs offer top-quality recordings by professional readers, an excellent model for listening and speaking.

Illustration by Teri Gower from The Story of Rome

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Reading consultant Alison Kelly worked for many years as a primary school teacher in London. She is currently a Senior Lecturer in English Education at Roehampton University in London, teaching about all aspects of literacy. She is co-editor of the successful textbooks Reading Under Control and Writing Under Control, and has also written teaching materials for young children. Alison helped us to establish the principles which underpin the Usborne Reading Programme: exciting, engaging narrative that not only appeals to readers but provides a model for their own writing, and lively, detailed design and illustration that adds its own dimension to the text. She helped to set up a framework for the seven levels, covering themes, story length, language and grammar structures. Lastly, she reads all titles at draft stage and in their final version. Illustration by Uwe Mayer from The Stinking Story of Rubbish

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Specialist titles at all levels of the Reading Programme draw on the advice of experts in the field, including: Matt Shardlow of Buglife, the Invertebrate Conservation Trust (Bugs) Gillian Bardsley of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust (The Story of Cars)

Illustration by Daniela Scarpa from Bugs

Cally Blackman of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (The Revealing Story of Underwear) Illustration by Nilesh Mistry from The Revealing Story of Underwear

Alan Munson of Viridor Waste Management (The Stinking Story of Rubbish)

Colin White of the National Maritime Museum, London (Nelson) Eva Schloss, stepsister of Anne Frank (Anne Frank) Terry Charman of the Imperial War Museum, London (The Story of Spying) Illustration by Adam Larkum from The Story of Cars

Illustration by David Cuzik from Nelson

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Content Short single narrative followed by reading and comprehension puzzles Single narrative plus character sheets and/or maps, and puzzles Single narrative with repeated elements, plus character sheets and/or maps, no puzzles Single narrative Several linked stories or one longer narrative in chapters. Direct and indirect speech, intertextual references Single narrative in chapters. Introduce irony and subplot, allow opportunity for inference and deduction Single narrative in chapters. Assume some relevant background knowledge 8

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Number of pages

Number of words

Words per page

Sentence length

up to 150

up to 10 (1–3 lines)

on average 2–8 words

up to 250

up to 20 (2–4 lines)

on average 6–10 words

up to 450

up to 30 (2–5 lines)

on average 8–12 words

up to 750

up to 40 (3–6 lines)

on average 8–15 words

1,000– 1,500

up to 50 (up to 10 lines)

up to 15 words, varied length but generally short

2,000– 2,500

up to 70 (up to 15 lines)

up to 20 words, more varied length

4,000– 5,000

up to 120 (up to 20 lines or full page)

up to 30 words, varied length

continued overleaf

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Themes Classic tales (e.g. Aesop’s Fables) and folktales As Level One, including less familiar folktales As Level Two plus original fiction and non-fiction (natural history life cycles) As Level Three plus classic fairy tales

Fairy tales, fantasy, fiction, non-fiction (“the story of…”)

As Series One plus adapted classics

History, biographies, classics The elements above are intended as guidelines only, and whilst distinctions between different levels remain clear, 10

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Grammar

Vocabulary

Present and simple past tenses; modal verb can; comparative adjectives

Simple everyday vocabulary, familiar items

As Level One plus future; modal verbs could and must; comparatives and superlatives

More descriptive and evocative vocabulary, always clear in context

As Level Two plus present and past perfect; range of modal verbs

Powerful verbs and adjectives, clear in context

Full range of tenses

More exotic elements and controlled use of idiom

Past tense narratives; avoid passives, embedded clauses, semicolons and colons

Wide-ranging everyday vocabulary

Introduce more challenging sentence structure, including embedded clauses

More challenging, building on Series One; specialist or technical terms explained

Full use of grammatical range, comparable with mainstream contemporary fiction or general journalism

Building on Series Two, may assume knowledge of specialist or technical terms

exceptions may sometimes be made to individual specifications in the interests of narrative or style. 11

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FIRST READING: LEVEL ONE

Level One titles are designed to be the first real books a beginner reader will tackle, with very light support from a parent or teacher. They are 32 pages in length, comprising the main story (up to 150 words) and 6 pages of fun, reading-related puzzles. Subjects include classic fables and folktales, with rich and detailed illustrations designed to foster a lasting enthusiasm for books and reading. Illustration by Mike Gordon from The Wish Fish

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Opposite: from The Fox and the Crow, retold by Mairi Mackinnon, illustrated by RocĂo MartĂnez

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Fox was always hungry.

E G A P E E Z L I P L S M SA TUA AC

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FIRST READING: LEVEL TWO

Level Two titles stretch the reader a little more than Level One, with more advanced storylines, more text and more complicated sentence structure and vocabulary. They are 32 pages in length, comprising character pages or maps, the main story (up to 250 words) and reading-related puzzles. Subjects include less familiar folktales from around the world, with lively, quirkly illustrations. Illustration by Graham Philpot from The Dragon and the Phoenix

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Opposite: from How Elephants Lost their Wings, retold by Lesley Sims, illustrated by Katie Lovell

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They landed on houses...

E G A P E L P M SA E Z I S L A U T C A and fell right through.

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FIRST READING: LEVEL THREE

Level Three titles encourage the reader to develop reading stamina, increasing to 48 pages consisting of character sheets or maps and the main story (up to 450 words). The story includes a strong element of reprise or repetition, with the familiarity of repeated language chunks helping the reader to gain in confidence. Subjects include classic folktales from around the world and original fiction, with quirky and humorous illustrations. Illustration by Georgien Overwater from The Three Little Pigs

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Opposite: from The Gingerbread Man, retold by Mairi Mackinnon, illustrated by Elena Temporin

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E G A P E L P M SA E Z I S L A U T C A He wanted to cross it, but he couldn’t swim.

Then the gingerbread man came to a river.

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FIRST READING: LEVEL FOUR

Level Four titles build readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stamina still further, and are 48 pages entirely devoted to the story (up to 750 words). The narrative is more developed, there is more text on each page, and sentence structure and vocabulary are more descriptive. Subjects include classic folk and fairy tales and original fiction. Illustration by Jacqueline East from The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

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Opposite: from Percy and the Pirates by Russell Punter, illustrated by Kate Sheppard

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Percy was sinking fast. Just then, he saw a ship. “Help!” he yelled.

SAMPLE PA GE ACTUAL SIZ E The ship came closer. “Please hurry!” he shouted. Soon it would be too late.

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YOUNG READING: SERIES ONE

Series One titles are for children who have just started reading on their own, and are 48 pages (1000-1500 words) in length. They use fairly short, simple sentences and everyday vocabulary. Typically, Series One books contain several short stories or one longer story divided into chapters. Subjects include classic fables and fairytales, original contemporary fiction and quirky histories. Illustration by Alan Marks from The Little Mermaid

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Opposite: from The Sorcererâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Apprentice, retold by Fiona Chandler, illustrated by Poly Bernatene

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E G A P E L P M SA E Z I S L A U T C A ...although he was always a little afraid of broomsticks.

From that day on, Max was a perfect pupil. Soon he learned how to do spells properly. And when he grew up, he became a great sorcerer...

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YOUNG READING: SERIES TWO

Series Two titles are for children who are reading more confidently, and are 64 pages (2000-2500 words) in length. They use varied sentence lengths, more complex sentence structure and more challenging vocabulary. Most Series Two books contain a single narrative divided into chapters. Subjects include classic tales and myths, mystery stories and non-fiction. Illustration by Mauro Evangelista from Alice in Wonderland

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Opposite: from Beauty and the Beast, retold by Louie Stowell, illustrated by Victor Tavares

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“I can’t risk Beauty’s life,” Pierre thought. With a heavy heart, he told the Beast he would return. Before Pierre left, the Beast put a ruby bridle on the horse’s muzzle. “He’ll be able to find his way to your home and back,” said the Beast. “The bridle will guide him.”

E G A P E L P SAM E ACTUAL SIZ

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YOUNG READING: SERIES THREE

Series Three titles are for fully confident readers who still need to gain the stamina needed for standard length books, and are 64 pages (4000-5000 words) in length. They use advanced sentence structure and vocabulary, and have more complex plots with subplots. Series Three books contain one main narrative divided into chapters. Subjects include historical events, biographies and simplified versions of classic stories.

Illustration by Barry Ablett from Oliver Twist

Opposite: from Adolf Hitler by Katie Daynes

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Only a narrow stretch of sea now lay between Hitler and the British Isles. He launched an aggressive bombing blitz on Britain, hoping the heavy casualties would force them to surrender. But the new British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, was determined to fight to the end. Hitler watched, frustrated, as the British air force won the battle of the skies. Eventually, he gave up and turned his attention east. Recklessly breaking his pact with Stalin, he now sent his troops into Russia. The Russian troops were slow to respond, but mighty in number. By November, German forces were engaged in bitter warfare, as the temperature plummeted below freezing. Hitler failed to conquer Russia before winter. His troops suffered in icy conditions.

GE A P E L P M A S E ACTUAL SIZ

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Young Reading CD and DVD packs make the story come alive. Packs comprise a hardback copy of the book with an accompanying CD or DVD. Each audio CD contains two readings: first, a dramatic listen-along version, complete with specially composed music, sound effects and superbly characterised readings; then a more measured, read-along version â&#x20AC;&#x201C; without sound effects but with a page-turn indicator â&#x20AC;&#x201C; designed to be played as a child follows the story in the accompanying book. DVDs feature lightly animated versions of the stories and dramatised readings with music and sound effects. They may be played in full, chapter by chapter or pausing more frequently as children read along. They are suitable for both home use and interactive whiteboards.

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Note: all books are hardback and are produced as gift editions with coloured endpapers and ribbon markers

FIRST READING: LEVEL ONE

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FIRST READING: LEVEL TWO

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FIRST READING: LEVEL THREE

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FIRST READING: LEVEL FOUR

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YO U N G R E A D I N G : S E R I E S O N E

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YO U N G R E A D I N G : S E R I E S O N E

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YO U N G R E A D I N G : S E R I E S O N E

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YO U N G R E A D I N G : S E R I E S O N E

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S E R I E S O N E W I T H DV D

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S E R I E S O N E W I T H AU D I O C D s

with

CD with

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with with

with

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with

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YO U N G R E A D I N G : S E R I E S T W O

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YO U N G R E A D I N G : S E R I E S T W O

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YO U N G R E A D I N G : S E R I E S T W O

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S E R I E S T W O W I T H DV D

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S E R I E S T W O W I T H AU D I O C D s

with

CD with

with

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YO U N G R E A D I N G : S E R I E S T H R E E

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YO U N G R E A D I N G : S E R I E S T H R E E

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The Usborne Reading Programme is a collection of over 150 titles for beginner readers, graded in series. Lively writing and illustration across a range of subjects, both fact and fiction, help to build confidence and create a lifelong enjoyment of reading.

Usborne Reading Programme 2008 ÂŁ0.50 JFMAMJJASOND 08

ISBN 978 0 7460 8954 5 Made with paper from a sustainable source.