Teachers · Schools · Literacy Support
How to Choose Decodable Readers for Your School or Classroom
Choosing decodable readers is not simply about matching a book to a child's age or year level. A better starting point is the phonics knowledge students have already been explicitly taught.
This guide explains how to choose decodable readers for individual students, reading groups and classroom libraries, including how to compare phonics stages, fiction and non-fiction books, individual phase sets and complete reading collections.
Quick answer
How Do You Choose the Right Decodable Readers?
Students in the same year level may be working at different stages of decoding development. Chronological age is useful context, but it should not be the only factor used when choosing a decodable reader.
Reading practice with purpose
Why Use Decodable Readers in the Classroom?
Decodable readers use controlled text to give developing readers opportunities to apply their phonics knowledge while reading connected text. When the text aligns with patterns students have already learned, they can practise decoding rather than relying primarily on pictures or guessing unfamiliar words.
Match Books to Phonics
Choose texts containing sounds and patterns students have already been explicitly taught.
Practise in Connected Text
Students can apply developing decoding skills while reading complete sentences and meaningful texts.
Build Gradually
Increase text complexity as students learn additional phonics and spelling patterns.
Teacher selection guide
6 Steps for Choosing Decodable Readers for Students
Use these steps when selecting books for individual students, small reading groups, classroom rotations, intervention or home-reading programs.
Start With Your Phonics Scope and Sequence
Identify the sounds, letter-sound relationships and phonics patterns students have already been explicitly taught.
Match the Books to Taught Phonics
Look for readers where the text predominantly uses sounds and patterns students already recognise. The aim is to provide achievable practice using what has already been taught.
Choose by Skill Level, Not Just Age
Two students of the same age may have very different phonics knowledge. Choose the reading stage that best matches the student's current decoding skills.
Decide How the Readers Will Be Used
Consider whether the books are for individual intervention, small-group reading, classroom rotations, take-home reading or a broader classroom library.
Provide Variety for Repeated Practice
A range of books at a similar decoding level allows students to revisit developing skills without immediately increasing the difficulty of the text.
Choose Fiction, Non-Fiction or Both
Fiction offers stories and characters while non-fiction can appeal to students interested in factual and real-world topics. Many classrooms use a combination of both.
Junior Learning progression
Which Decodable Reader Phase Should I Choose?
The Junior Learning decodable reader range progresses through six phases. Use the table as a guide, then match the books to the specific phonics knowledge your students have already been taught.
| Phase | Main Focus | When to Consider It |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Phonemic Awareness | For students developing early awareness of sounds in spoken language. |
| Phase 2 | Letter Sounds | For students beginning to recognise and work with individual letter sounds. |
| Phase 3 | Phonics | For students beginning to apply phonics knowledge when blending and decoding words. |
| Phase 4 | Blends | For students working with consonant blends and increasingly complex word structures. |
| Phase 5 | Vowel Sounds | For students developing knowledge of increasingly complex vowel sounds and patterns. |
| Phase 6 | Spelling | For students progressing into more advanced spelling patterns and word structures. |
Choosing a reading format
Fiction vs Non-Fiction Decodable Readers
Both formats can provide purposeful decoding practice. Student interest can also influence how willingly children engage with repeated reading, so many schools choose a combination.
Fiction Decodable Readers
Fiction readers provide structured decoding practice through characters, stories and imaginative situations.
They can suit students who enjoy narrative and following a story through a reading session.
View Fiction Decodable Reader Library →Non-Fiction Decodable Readers
Non-fiction readers combine decoding practice with factual and real-world topics.
They can be particularly engaging for students interested in animals, science, nature and other factual subjects.
View Non-Fiction Decodable Reader Library →Planning a classroom collection
Individual Phase Sets or a Complete Decodable Reader Library?
Individual Phase Sets
Useful when you need additional readers for one particular phonics stage or a targeted intervention group.
Complete Libraries
Useful when establishing or expanding a classroom collection across several stages of reading development.
Fiction + Non-Fiction
Gives students broader variety while allowing structured decoding practice to continue at an appropriate stage.
Supporting teachers
Teacher Support for Junior Learning Decodable Readers
Teacher FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Decodable Readers
What is a decodable reader?
A decodable reader uses controlled text so developing readers can practise reading words using phonics knowledge and sound patterns they have already been taught.
How do teachers choose the right decodable reader level?
Start with the student's current phonics knowledge. Identify the sounds and patterns they already recognise and decode, then choose books that provide successful practice before increasing the complexity.
Should decodable readers be selected by age or year level?
Age and year level can provide context, but phonics knowledge is a more useful starting point. Students in the same class may need different levels of decoding practice.
Should a school choose fiction or non-fiction decodable readers?
Both can be useful. Fiction provides stories and characters while non-fiction provides factual and real-world topics. Many schools use both to provide variety while maintaining structured reading practice.
Is it better to buy individual phases or a complete library?
Individual phase sets can suit targeted reading groups or gaps in an existing collection. Larger libraries can be more practical when establishing a reading collection across several stages.
Can schools order decodable readers from Teach Me Toys?
Yes. Teach Me Toys supplies educational resources to schools and education organisations throughout Australia. Visit our School & Bulk Orders page for ordering information.
Find the right readers
Explore Decodable Readers for Your Classroom
Compare phonics phases, fiction and non-fiction books, teacher resources and complete decodable reader libraries for different stages of reading development.
