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Kids Reading Book in Park

Decodable Books for Kids

Free books created in collaboration with the Boston Public Schools

All texts currently on this website were created to support various versions of Focus on Early Learning, the PK through second grade curriculum of the Boston Public Schools. These texts were specifically written and illustrated to be culturally relevant and empowering to children in Boston.

  • Who should use Beyond Decodables?
    Beyond Decodables are best for children working on applying phonics skills to decode words (K-2nd). Check the scope and sequence and the back page of each book to see if it is right for your students. Parents, you can use these books, too! Our Parent Guide is coming soon!
  • When during the day should I use Beyond Decodables?
    Beyond Decodables are meant for small group and independent reading. Remember, the goal is for children to actively decode the words in these books, so you need to give them the chance to individually encounter and decode each word. For children who may need more support, we recommend considering using a different text or echo reading. Check out our lesson templates to see how to teach using these texts.
  • What do I need to change about my reading instruction to use Beyond Decodables?
    There are a few ways your teaching might need to change to get the most out of these books. First, focus at least some small group reading lessons on applying phonics to read words in texts by following our templates and using Beyond Decodables. Second, change your prompting to focus on "Look at the word" and "Slide through each sound" instead of "Check the picture." Third, consider a new way of evaluating children's reading, like Drs. Nell K. Duke, Alessandra E. Ward, and Rachel Klingelhofer's Listening to Reading Protocol (available on Dr. Nell K. Duke's website). All of this and more in my new book, Reading Above the Fray. Find it everywhere books are sold.

Text topics include "nature" and "animals."

Text topics include "life in the city", "animals", and "community leaders"

Text are all about animals, their features, and their habitats.

*We also include consonant digraphs and suffix -s ending.

Text are all about needs/wants, trade, community helpers, and the weather

Texts are about economics, innovations, and inventors (and other persistent characters)

Also includes the beginning of the text series, Genius Gia, following one main character, Gia, as she learns about light, sound, and scientists/innovators

Texts are about innovations and inventors

Also includes two text series:

Genius Gia texts follow one main character, Gia, as she learns about light, sound, and scientists/innovators

The Magic Compass texts (digital/print is the same pdf) follow two siblings using a compass to navigate in their neighborhood

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