L1. Look at my Clothes
Text Type: Caption
L2. I like to Play
Text Type: Recount
Growth Points:Two sentences per page. The first is the same throughout. The second has a return
sweep and repeated phrase.
L3. My Birthday Party
Text Type: Repetitive structure
Growth Points:Sentence pattern varies slightly. Two sentences on all but first
and last pages.
4. In the Forest
Text Type: Narrative/Photographic. Familiar refrain.
Growth Points: Two lines of text per page with a return sweep.
5. The Lost Kitten
Text Type: Narrative.
Growth Points: Repetitive structure with three-part sentences.
6. Bedtime
Text Type: Narrative.
Growth Points: Text in smaller font. Direct speech. Sentence structure varies.
7. I Draw Pictures
Text Type: Recount.
GROWTH POINTS: More varied text structures, including direct speech.
8. The Naughty Dog
Text Type: Narrative.
Growth Points:
More complex vocabulary, well supported by photos.
9. Sebastian Learns to Swim
Text Type: Narrative.
Growth Points: Up to three paragraphs per page. Text often spreads across two facing pages. Repetition within the structure.
10. The Little Red Hen
Text Type: Traditional tale.
Growth Points: Up to seven lines of text per page. Traditional structure. Includes direct speech.
11. I’m Using the Computer
Text Type: Narrative.
Growth Points: Predictable structure with text variability.
12. Going Rowing
Text Type: Recount.
Growth Points: A sequence of events with variation in vocabulary. Unfamiliar concept for most children.
13. My Dog Ben
Text Type: Recount.
Growth Points: Contains many sentences with three phrases.
14. The Messy Pony
Text Type: Narrative.
Growth Points: Increased vocabulary load. Sequence of events.
15. The Bull and the Frog
Text Type: Narrative.
Growth Points: Increased text per page. Varied length of line of text.
16. Our Playground
Text Type: Recount.
Growth Points: Sentences run-on. Less direct pictorial support.
17. The Girl Who Cried Spider
Text Type: Narrative.
Growth Points: Sentences run-on. Varied sentence structure and vocabulary.
18. Having Fun
Text Type: Narrative.
Growth Points: Smaller font. Varied sentence structure and vocabulary.
19. Saving Water
Text Type: Report.
Growth Points:
Familiar concept. Text has dense information load. Varied sentence structure and vocabulary.
20. The Girl and Her Bucket
Text Type: Traditional tales.
Growth Points: Unfamiliar setting. Varied sentence structure and vocabulary. Inference is required to understand the text.
21. Flying With the Wind
Text Type: Report/Explanation.
Growth Points:
Simple explanation of a scientific concept. Includes technical language.
22. The Laughing Dragon
Text Type: Narrative.
Growth Points: Inference is required to fully understand the text.
23. Tigers, the Big Cats
Text Type: Report.
Growth Points: Complex and varied sentence structures. Dense information load.
24. Skydiving
Text Type: Report.
Growth Points:
Detailed explanation. Complex concept.
25. Dolphins to the Rescue
Text Type: Recount
Growth Points: Following an unusual series of events. Some technical language.
26. How the Sun and Moon Were Made
Text Type: Narrative (Fable)
Growth Points: Understanding the symbolism in a fable. Complex
language.
27. Hungry Crocodiles
Text Type: Explanation
Growth Points: Complex language, some technical language, longer paragraphs.
28. Surviving the Storm
Text Type: Historical narrative
Growth Points:
Unusual names, dates. Includes the description of a complex procedure.
Benchmark Books
Levels 1-28
Each benchmark book is produced in full colour to engage children and is carefully structured and
leveled.
While the concise nature of the benchmark books will impress busy teachers, all are ‘real books’.
The First Step:
Assessing Early Literacy
All of the resources required to assess reading and writing.
For all but the first few
levels, the 100 word point is marked on the Record of Reading Behaviour for each benchmark book. This makes it easy to determine reading
accuracy without the need for complicated calculations.
Comprehension Prompts indicate the level of the question (literal, inferential
or interpretive) and the writing for each book and accompanying scoring guidance assist teachers to assess writing.
Further assessment
tasks help diagnose difficulties some children experience with concepts of print, phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension
or fluency.
The Next Step:
Developing Early Literacy
This title contains a comprehensive range of literacy activities that link to areas of
need identified throughout the assessment process.
The Next Step provides a wealth of activities for small group, whole class
or individual teaching.
Blackline Masters support activities.