This is a fabulous resource to get if you are wanting to know more about the features and types of words that are found in each level.
Level 1-2 Repetitive sentences, pictures give away complex words, and simple sight words. We also look for 1:1 word matching.
Level 3-4 Repetitive sentences, some unknown vocabulary needing student to regcognize 1st sound/blending. We also look for 1:1 word matching.
Level 5-6
First few words of each sentence are in a repetitive pattern. The pictures help the student figure out more complex vocabulary that may be unknown to them. We are looking to see if the child can look for the 1st sound and either make an educated guess or attempt to blend the word through to the end. It also starts to include some blends.
Level 7-8 Usually you begin to see some dialogue between characters. Repetitive sentence patterns, more complex sight words, "ed" endings, and variety of sentence types (statement, question, exclamatory). We look to see if students can correctly sequence events and if they can identify the problem/solution.
Level 9-10 Sentences are NOT patterned or repetitive. There is a clear problem/solution. It contains character development. There is much dialogue between characters. The types of words have different endings (y, ing, ed, s). There is also some complex vocabulary that requires the student to BLEND the words.
Level 11-12 It contains many more blends (ch, tr, bl, sk, th, etc.) as well as word endings (y, ing, ed, s, ies). This level also often introduces some contractions (can't, won't, couldn't). It also includes 2 and 3 syllable words. We look to see if a student can correctly sequence the many events in the text as well as developing a strong, deep connection to the main idea.
Level 13-14 In this level, students are expected to show fluency by demonstrating a high level of expression when reading (questioning, excitement, bold text, etc.). This level also include 2 and 3 syllable words, blends, some complex vocabulary that requires blending (as the pictures do not give it away), and a strong problem/solution.
Level 15-16
Level 17-18
Level 19-20 This level includes pictures to help develop some meaning, but students must be able to self-monit or in order to correctly retell the problem/solution and character development. This level includes compound words, contractions, blends at the beginning and ending of words, and more complex sight words.