No, these are guided reading books downloaded from this site
http://www.readinga-z.com/
Books are downloaded, printed, cut and stapled. They are used for reading centers, and there are 26 levels, on for each letter of the alphabet. Each letter has from 20-36 books. We need 6 copies of each book, (there are six students in each center) plus a master.
Levels of difficulty rise as the letters of the alphabet get larger. It takes a pretty organized teacher to keep her kids at the same level together, and to make sure each group has the proper book. And we do this 3 times a week. Different books each time.
the kids are tested each time on comprehension, speed, and reading ability. Some of the kinders were reading at level M at the end of the year. Here is some info
Level M books feature:
* 550-760 words total
* Average of 9-10 words per sentence
* Full pages of text
* Text can wrap illustrations
* More complex sentences
* More specialized vocabulary
* Illustrations used to extend meaning
* Table of contents, captions, index, and glossary in factual books
* Tables, charts, and graphs
* 20 pages
Here is a Level AA, where many started........
Level aa books feature:
* 1-3 words per page; 2-3 word average
* One word change per page
* 16 - 24 words total
* 1-2 high utility words and a descriptive word.
* Repetition of high-utility words
* One line per page
* Mostly picture captions
* One-to-one text-to-picture correspondence
* Familiar topics
* Consistent text placement
* 8 page
TMI? Sorry, but I just love watching kids learn to read!