What is Level Four

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In Level Four, we introduce decodable chapter books! These decodable chapter books highlight the adventures of specific characters and target a specific phonics skill (e.g. ending blends) or syllable structure (e.g., open/closed syllables). Because of their increased length, the Level Four books can be used to build reading stamina while continuing to provide a controlled reading experience. If you’re working at Level Four, your students are on their way to being independent readers as they enter the second to last level within Whole Phonics! 

We currently have completed two of the five decodable chapter books in this level. Units 3-5 will be published throughout 2025.

In Level Four we cover ending blends, clusters, compound words, syllabication and silent e. The Story Companion workbooks for Units 1 and 2 will be available by the summer of 2025. They will include a variety of reading and spelling activities, as well as high frequency word practice, all of which are closely intertwined with the plot of the books. The workbooks also contain fifteen unique games dedicated to each of the fifteen stories in this level. All Level Four books and workbooks are identified by a unifying color: orange.

What Skills are Covered in Level Three?

In this series, we cover: 

  • Ending Blends and Clusters (Unit 1)
  • Compound Words (Unit 2) 
  • Closed & Open Syllables (VCCV & V/CV), Doubling Rule, wr, and -old (Unit 3) 
  •  Syllabication (V/CV & VC/V) and Sounds of y (Unit 4)
  • Silent-e in 1-2 Syllable Words (Unit 5)
  • Affixes 
  • Suffixes: -er (doer and more), -est (superlative) 
  • Prefixes: un-
  • High frequency words (see full list here) 
  • Vocabulary words (see full list here)

Meet Some of Our Level Four Characters

  • Liz

  • Meg and Ann

  • Gus

  • Zac

  • Tim

  • Bud

The Level Four Decodable Chapter Books

Each chapter in the Level Four series covers a group of sounds (ending blends) or a syllable structure  (such as open/closed syllables) that is emphasized to ensure students obtain ample practice reading that new sound or concept in context. Our program is also cumulative, meaning that all previously introduced skills are reviewed. So, if you select the “compound word” chapter book (The Beth and Thad Adventures from Unit 2), be sure that students have learned and can decode words with ending blends and clusters (from Unit 1).  

In each book,  we carefully  introduce one to three “high frequency words,” some of which are temporarily irregular while others are not. We have chosen our high-frequency words according to their frequency of use.  Special vocabulary words have also been selected for each book to ensure children have the opportunity to preview and learn words that may be unfamiliar to them. 

Lastly, each decodable book includes three reading comprehension questions that range from factual to analytical. A factual question will provide insight into a student's ability to recall details from the text, such as, “Which clue leads Beth and Thad to find Dav Pilkey?” An analytical question requires students to think beyond the text and will likely elicit different responses from students. For example, an analytical question may ask, “Which one of your favorite authors would you like to visit your class and why?”

For your convenience, the sounds, high frequency words, special vocabulary, and comprehension questions can be found on the front inside cover of each book (note: new sounds and words will be boxed and bolded).  

Shop Decodable Books

Who is Level Four for?

At this point in the scope and sequence of reading, students have a significant amount of phonics skills under their belt, so the text length and complexity is increasing.  Decodable books are a wonderful way to practice specific phonics skills and build reading fluency in the context of full length books. The Level Four books were designed to also strengthen reading stamina while providing children with a fun story in a controlled reading environment. Our decodable chapter books and workbooks are designed for instructional purposes, whether that be in the classroom or at home for additional practice. Teachers, our workbook pages can also be used in centers, for independent work, or sent home for homework.