Finding decodable texts which provide systematic and sequential phonics instruction which engage older students can be a challenging task, especially for those who are still mastering Simple Code. The majority of decodable readers on the market at this level are designed to engage much younger students.

Key to supporting our older students to succeed is providing them with reading experiences where they feel capable and successful. It is essential that the decodable text aligns with what is being explicitly taught while providing the right amount of challenge. Decodable readers are not age-specific. They are skill-specific. They bridge the gap by using controlled vocabulary that allows the student to apply their decoding skills enabling them to actually finish reading a book and therefore experience real reading success, for some students this may be the first time they achieve this.

When selecting a decodable book, it is also important that older readers are given content which is age-appropriate and engaging. Books must offer interesting plots and relatable characters. Older students often feel incredibly self-conscious and embarrassed reading material that is too childish and most decodable books are thin and look like a beginners reading book. Graphic novels can help bridge this gap as they can be lighter on text, but still tell a good story in a substantial book.