Appendix C – Stages of reading

This appendix refers to the module on “The school experience” on page 9 of this guide.

The stages of reading framework helps tutors decide when and why to use various tutoring techniques and strategies, based on students’ strengths and learning needs.

Chall’s six stages of reading development are:

Stage Approximate grade level What readers learn at this stage  
0 Pre‐school
  • Acquiring language skills
  • Learning about books and stories
 Reading Readiness
1 Kindergarten – Grade 2
  • Translating written symbols into sounds and words (decoding)
 Learning to read
2 Grade 3 – 4
  • Improving speed and accuracy in reading (fluency)
  
3 Grade 4 – 8
  • Expanding vocabulary
  • Reading for specific purposes: finding facts, determining main points, etc.
  • Selecting and activating pre‐, during‐and post‐reading strategies
  
4 High school
  • Understanding multiple perspectives
  • Making judgments by weighing evidence and evaluating arguments
 Reading to
learn
5 Post‐secondary
  • Managing their own learning: choosing reading material to learn in areas of interest
  • Constructing abstract knowledge
  • Creating truth by synthesizing perspectives
  

Chall, J. (1983). Stages of Reading Development. New York: McGraw‐Hill.