What's Taught in Level 4

Your student will learn exciting new concepts, including words with multiple suffixes, fifteen new phonograms, and methods for decoding multisyllable words – and continue to establish a firm foundation for a lifetime of learning. Every component of reading is taught: decoding (phonics and structural analysis), vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Below is a sampling in each area.

Decoding (Phonics)

• Learn phonograms EY, EAR, UI, IE, PH, GU, GN, AUGH, EI, OUGH, SI, MB, OUR, CI, and RH
• Read words containing the new phonograms, such as honey, early, juice, field, phase, guest, gnat, daughter, beige, rough, mission, comb, journey, special, and rhyme

Decoding (Structural Analysis)

• Decode multisyllabic words
• Read words with multiple suffixes, as in thankfully
• Read words with a variety of suffixes, including -ible, -able, -ance, -ence, -sion, -ic, -al, -ous, -ist, -ism, -ity, -ize, -ary, and -ery
• Read words containing unaccented syllables, as in pirate, Alaska, and doctor
• Read words with silent letters, as in half and comb

Fluency

• Read with accuracy
• Read with meaningful expression
• Read with natural phrasing

Vocabulary

• Discuss new words in the context of the story and one’s own life
• Explore varying dialects and regional language
• Understand homonyms and heteronyms
• Understand synonyms, antonyms, onomatopoeia, alliteration, idioms, personification, acronyms, and hyperbole
• Explore words containing influences from Greek, French, Spanish, and Italian

Comprehension

• Connect text to one's own experiences
• Read stories with alternating points of view
• Make predictions and inferences
• Compare and contrast main characters and stories
• Discuss main conflict and character transformation
• Skim for specific information
• Discuss shades of meaning
• Summarize the text