How is a Guided Reading level different from a Lexile level?
Guided Reading levels are more subjective and are not based on a mathematical formula, rather on text features and the demands that are made on a reader. Picture support, vocabulary development, time reference, plot and story development, page layout, and side text, are some of the many characteristics analyzed when determining the readability of text. Although these characteristics are much more difficult to assess, they represent “real life reading”. We need to keep in mind that just because a book is a particular level does not mean that it will make the same demands on a reader. Many books on a level “J” will have different characteristics.
