Decodable Connected Text

Let's talk about connected text. You may be saying "yes, please!" or "what in the world is connected text?". If you are wondering what connected text is, put simply, it is a group of sentences about the same topic. Students are reading connected text when they read a passage or a book. Providing students with an opportunity to read connected text is crucial for helping them develop into strong readers.

In my beginning years as a reading specialist, I regret that I failed to give my students much time to read connected text at all. Yes, it was reading class, but my students were rarely reading anything beyond a sentence at a time. While I could still improve in this area today, I've come a long way in how I approach reading connected text with students.

One of the biggest challenges I've faced regarding Orton Gillingham based reading instruction is finding connected text that is truly decodable for my students and age appropriate. This is especially tricky for my 4th and 5th grade struggling readers who crave stories that are about more complex things than the 1st grade geared text that matches their skill level. No 5th grader wants to feel like a baby reading 1st grade level themed material.

So, where can we find connected text that is truly decodable for students? I've tried so many different resources, and I've compiled a list of my favorites below. Let me save you the trouble of searching for hours for the best decodable text options - I've been there, done that! While there are others that could be included in this list, I've narrowed it down to help anyone who gets overwhelmed by options like I do. I only included sources I feel are quality, affordable, and engaging for students. Let me know which are your favorites!

Happy Tails Reading

Decodable text sources:

HTR Let's Camp Blends Passage - This passage is great for students working with short vowels and consonant blends.

Toucan Readers - these are great for older students that still need decodable readers. They have beautiful artwork and many of my students say these are their favorite books we read. I appreciate that there are fiction and non fiction books in this set. I mostly use these with 2nd grade and up.

Charge Into Reading Decodable Books - I love how controlled the text is and the artwork is great. These are more appealing to younger students K-3. You can also find these on Amazon.

Wilson Student Readers -even if you are not using the Wilson curriculum, the decodable passages may supplement your teaching nicely and are affordable at $14 each. If you are unfamiliar with the program, check out the scope and sequence guide to see which reader may benefit you. I personally find I use readers 1 & 2 most often. Reader 3 starts multisyllabic words. There are no illustrations, just words, sentences, and passages.

The Literacy Nest Passages - these match the Take Flight curriculum so well and are very affordable.

UFLI Passages (free!) - I'm blown away by the fact that these are available for free. They have a wide range of phonics patterns addressed. The scope and sequence has not matched my Orton Gilingham programs perfectly, but there are still many passages I've been able to supplement with.

SPIRE Decodable Books - The illustrations are in black and white, but my students still enjoy these. These do not align perfectly with my curriculums either, but one set I have used repeatedly with all different grade levels is set 1b. It looks like you must purchase in larger sets now than when I purchased a few years ago though, which is unfortunate.

Reading A to Z - I would steer clear of the leveled readers here, but the decodable books are printable and there are many options. Again, not perfectly aligned with my purposes, but many supplement my curriculums well.

🤩 Want a free short and sweet way to fit in decodable connected text? Subscribe to HTR emails and receive the short vowel and digraph focused mini passage "Chet's Dog" :

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