GoalsLevel 2: Building Fluency in Easy Reader Books
The Level 2 Program is designed for entering second graders. At this age, children are moving toward fluency in Easy Reader books, which have a controlled vocabulary and short, simple sentences. Class meets once per week for five weeks, and each class is 2 hours long.
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"He's reading with more expression, and having more fun reading."
—Don, grandparent of 2nd grader
"The best thing about the program was that it really got my children to want to read."
—Maria, parent of 2nd grader
"The change is really great. She knows she can do it, so she wants to tackle the work of reading."
—Catherine, parent of 2nd grader
"Chloe is an upper-level reader and I wanted to challenger her. She really loves the class."
—Sunny, parent of 2nd grader
Program Goals
- Build the advanced phonics and word-attack skills children need to achieve fluency in Easy Reader books.
- Develop the fluency and comprehension needed to support the habit of independent reading.
- Give students positive experiences with books.
- Provide parents with the guidance they need to choose books for their child's independent reading at the appropriate level of difficulty.
Activities
Students are taught the advanced phonics and word-attack skills they need to achieve fluency in Easy Reader books, books with controlled vocabulary and simple sentences. The teacher provides direct instruction in advanced phonics elements, such as the silent "e" and vowel teams, and word attack skills, such as identifying compound words, prefixes, and suffixes. The teacher engages students in energizing phonics games to help them master the skills. The phonics program includes audio CDs that feature an engaging cast of characters and an exciting story that reinforces each lesson. Parents receive instructions for completing the workbook after the five week course.
Another major part of the program is helping students develop independence and confidence in their reading. The books used in class are excellent Easy Readers that are imaginative, well-written, and filled with whimsical humor. The teacher reads the story aloud first, allowing students to fully comprehend the story and become absorbed in it. The teacher then leads brief discussions to gently structure comprehension and identification with the story. Discussions are followed by independent reading practice, during which teachers circulate and provide students with varying levels of support depending on their individual needs. Enrichment activities such as acting out the stories and practicing reading with expression get students actively engaged in class-intellectually, emotionally, and physically.
Teachers also work individually with every student in class to provide a Book Level Recommendation that will help parents choose books at the right level of difficulty for independent practice. The recommendation corresponds with the Reading Development Booklist, provided as part of the course materials, which lists the best books for second graders to read both during and after the program. After the program ends, parents have the opportunity to sign up for a book club that provides their child with books at the right level of difficulty as well as other materials. Teachers describe the book club and distribute flyers to parents in a five-minute meeting during the fourth lesson.
Level 2's have always been my favorite classes to teach. Those kids are so excited to be there and they all try so hard. The parents are great, too. Plus, the curriculum is second-to-none. All 5 books are top-notch. 
— Christopher, Institute instructor in Las Vegas & graduate student in English