Help for reluctant readers

How DK Readers help with reading

Pre-level 1 readers have very few words on a page. They use everyday situations that younger children are interested in to teach key vocabulary. Vocabulary that is specific to the book or subject area is supported by pictures and, where possible, repetition. Key features are: high-frequency words, picture-word strips and labels to reinforce vocabulary. View titles in this series
Level 1 readers use a narrative approach to motivate children to begin to read for themselves. Key features are: word repetition, limited vocabulary, simple sentences and picture dictionary boxes. View titles in this series
Level 2 readers have simple text and clear sentence structures that enable children to choose non-fiction books that are achievable. Key features are: longer sentences and increased vocabulary, information boxes full of extra fun facts and a simple index. View titles in this series
Level 3 readers are straightforward non-fiction texts that have all the attributes required by the National Literacy Strategy Framework for Teaching: Contents page, Glossary and Index, while restricting the complexity of the reading material so that children can understand more about their preferred subject before they become frustrated. Key features are: more complex sentence structure, information boxes and alphabetical glossary, and a comprehensive index. View titles in this series
Level 4 readers are closer to the reading level of project books that children would be expected to read for themselves. Key features are: rich vocabulary and more challenging sentence structures, additional information and alphabetical glossary, and a comprehensive index. View titles in this series

Ideas for using DK Readers in the classroom

• Combine the simple, supportive texts in DK Readers with similar titles from other series.
  
  At Key Stage 1, choose Eye Wonder and the picture encyclopedias.
  At Key Stage 2, choose DK Guides, Eyewitness, DK Revealed and Mega Bites.
  
  This expands the child's reading 'diet' and extends vocabulary and the complexity of texts. This is particularly useful for those children who are able readers but who are not engaged with whole-class reading activities.
  
  
• Use DK Readers as reward texts to support the core reading scheme or to broaden the reading experience of children who lack confidence in choosing books outside their areas of interest.
  
  
• Use DK Readers as exemplary texts in the Literacy Hour. Although simple, they are so well pitched for their reading level that there is enough material for strong Literacy Hour activities.
  
  
• When teaching difficult literacy areas such as voice, sentence structures and connectives, a simpler text will help the class to grasp the concept without stumbling over the readability of the exemplar text.
  
  
• Use a highlighter pen to mark high-frequency words from the National Literacy Strategy that each child has learned. It will help the child to appreciate how much progress he or she is making and understand how common these words are. Once a child has mastered a handful of the high-frequency words, large sections of text become readable. This can significantly boost the confidence of children who are struggling to acquire a sight vocabulary.

More resources

• Using DK books in the classroom
• Free resources
• How to use the internet