Leveled Texts

Adaptive Reader’s Leveled Texts ensure that every student, regardless of their current reading ability, has a dignified pathway for engaging with grade-level material.

KEY FEATURES:

Simplify the vocabulary and sentence structure of complex texts to increase reading ease for struggling readers.
View the original and simplified text side-by-side to scaffold students up to the original text.

Compare Reading Levels

Original Text
Gold (easier)
Silver (easiest)

"Inspirited by this wind of promise, my day dreams become more fervent and vivid. I try in vain to be persuaded that the pole is the seat of frost and desolation; it ever presents itself to my imagination as the region of beauty and delight."

—

Mary Shelley's original Frankenstein is written at an 11th - 12th grade reading level.

What is a Leveled Text?

A leveled text adjusts the complexity of vocabulary, sentence structure, and overall text difficulty to meet students where they are. While the core ideas, themes, and concepts remain consistent across all levels, the text is tailored to suit each student's reading ability, allowing everyone to engage with the same content at a level that matches their skills.

Who Benefits from Leveled Texts?

Students with Diverse Reading Abilities

Struggling Readers: Leveled texts provide struggling readers with access to grade-level content in a way that is manageable for them. By simplifying the language while maintaining core concepts, leveled texts help these students build confidence, improve reading skills, and stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed.

Students with Learning Differences

Dyslexia, ADHD, and Other Learning Challenges: Leveled texts are tailored to break down complex language, making it easier for students with learning differences to comprehend material and participate in classroom discussions. This support allows them to engage with the same content as their peers in a way that suits their individual needs.

Adaptive Reader’s Reading Levels

Our unique color-coded system (Original, Gold, and Silver) provides differentiated reading experiences without labeling or stigmatizing students.

Each level adjusts the text’s complexity while keeping the main ideas and content the same, allowing every student to engage at their own pace:

Original (grade-level content) The standard, grade-level version of the text, ideal for advanced readers.
Gold (2-3 grade levels easier) Modest text adjustments, including breaking down complex sentences and substituting particularly complex vocabulary.
Silver (4-6 grade levels easier) Further simplifies the language and structure, designed for students who need significant help to understand the content.

Using Adaptive Reader in the Classroom

Adaptive Reader promotes student choice by offering all reading levels (Original, Gold, and Silver) without capping potential. Students can switch between levels and formats—paperbacks, audiobooks, and digital versions—encouraging self-driven learning and exploration.

Flexible Formats: Encourage students to choose their preferred format—whether digital with audio support, tactile print, or both—enhancing their reading experience.
Passage Markers: Consistent passage markers across all formats keep students on the same ‘page,’ enabling seamless participation in group activities.
Differentiated Support: Teachers can easily incorporate various levels, supporting diverse needs while maintaining class cohesion.

Adaptive Reader’s versatile, dignified approach empowers students to explore content at their pace and in their preferred format, making learning inclusive, engaging, and effective.

Explore our teacher guides for more tips on using Adaptive Reader in your classroom. We’ve partnered with educators to get their insights on integrating Adaptive Reader into various learning communities.

Research-Backed Approach

Adaptive Reader’s leveled texts are grounded in educational research, supporting inclusive and effective literacy instruction. Our approach leverages proven strategies like differentiated learning and translanguaging to enhance student engagement and comprehension.