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NEA Advice

There’s Room for Everyone: Using a Variety of Text Types

In K-1 classrooms, you often have a variety of types of text to choose from when designing instruction.
young readers

In K-1 classrooms, you often have a variety of types of text to choose from when designing instruction. Decodable, predictable, and controlled vocabulary text all have a place in your instruction.

Predictable

Patterned or predictable texts use repeated words, phrases, or rhyme throughout the text. They are great for emerging readers who have limited alphabet knowledge or decoding skills.

  • Teaching Tip #1: Prereaders will joyfully “read” and “reread” predictable texts as they gain an understanding of print concepts, letters, and letter sounds. Send home predictable texts along with picture books to encourage families to read with and to their young readers at home.
  • Learn More: What Can I Do with All These Predictable Books?

Controlled Vocabulary

Controlled vocabulary texts support the development of a sight-word vocabulary by limiting the number of new words on a page and repeatedly using selected words across a text.

  • Teaching Tip #2: Controlled vocabulary texts often have great picture supports that can be used for more than indicating the one or two word changes on a page. Once children are familiar with a text, ask them to write their own story to accompany the pictures or they can work with a friend to orally share their stories with one another.
  • Learn More: Which Texts for Teaching Reading: Decodable, Predictable, or Controlled Vocabulary?

Decodable Texts

In decodable texts, a high percentage of words can be identified by using letter-sound knowledge and phonemic awareness skills. Decodable texts support learning how to read print, giving kids a chance to practice their decoding skills with connected text.

  • Teaching Tip #3: Children need lots of opportunities to practice applying their growing knowledge of letters and sounds. Decodable book baskets are a great way for children to have ready access to a lot of decodable text that focuses on the phonics features, as well as previously taught features they need to review.
  • Teaching Tip #4: There are a lot of phonics readers on the market. Look for ones with engaging, age-appropriate picture supports, multiple opportunities within a page for children to practice a phonics feature, and a sensible storyline.
  • Learn More: Using Decodable Books

Final Thought: Don’t limit the types of texts your early readers have at their disposal. Each type has a mighty purpose in building confident and curious readers.

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