What's Better: Decodable Books or Leveled Readers?

For decades, schools have relied on leveled readers to teach kids how to read—but what if they’ve been setting students up to guess instead of actually read? In this episode, I’m breaking down the difference between leveled readers and decodable books, and why one approach is backed by science while the other reinforces bad reading habits. We’ll explore what makes decodable books so powerful, how they align with phonics instruction, and when to transition students to authentic texts. If your ...