Each level unit provides a sequential Reading Skills Checklist of the skills to be mastered at that grade/reading level for easy individual record keeping, plus 40-70 short, reproducible informal Reading Skills Competency Tests for measuring students' mastery of each skill on the Checklist at that level. Each also includes a Group Summary Profile for recording class progress and a separately printed wall chart that maps out the entire reading skills progression from Readiness through Advanced levels.

Table of Contents:
About the Competency Tests for Basic Reading Skills.; How to Use the Competency Tests and Check List .; Begin at the beginning.; Recording on the checklist.; Conferencing with the pupil.; Conferencing with parents.; Conferencing with professional staff.; Providing check lists to the next grade level teacher.; Making a group summary profile from individual check lists.; Ensuring the sequential presentation of skills.; Using the sequential skill plan chart.; Reading skills check list-- fifth level.; Group summary profile-- fifth level.; Reading skills competency tests: fifth level .; I. Vocabulary.; A. Word recognition of vocabulary in content areas.; B. Meaning of words .; 1. Can define words read in context.; 2. Can provide synonyms, antonyms.; 3. Knows homophones.; 4. Knows homographs.; 5. Understands figurative and colorful expressions.; II. Word Attacks Skills.; A. Phonic skills .; 1. Syllabication.; a. Each syllable must contain a vowel and a single vowel can be a syllable.; b. The root or base word is a syllable and is not divided.; c. Blends are not divided.; d. Suffixes and prefixes are syllables.; e. If the vowel in a syllable is followed by two consonants, syllable usually ends with the first consonant.; f. If a vowel in a syllable is followed by only one consonant, the syllable usually ends with a vowel.; g. If a word ends in le, the consonant just before the le begins the last syllable.; h. When there is an r after a vowel, the r goes with the vowel.; 2. Vowel Sounds.; a. With only one vowel in a word or syllable, the vowel is short.; b. With two vowels in a word or syllable, the first vowel is long and the second is silent.; 3. Accent.; a. In a word or two or more syllables, the first syllable is usually accented unless it is a prefix.; b. Accent is usually on root of word.; B. Using a Dictionary .; 1. Alphabetization.; a. Division into quarters: a--f; g--m; n--r; s--z;.; b. Alphabetizing word through fourth letter.; c. Knows abbreviated parts of speech.; 2. Uses guide words at top of page.; 3. Uses diacritical markings (bottom of page).; 4. Uses key to pronunciations (bottom of page).; 5. Understands phonetic spellings.; 6. Can follow cross--references.; 7. Understands secondary accents.; C. Context Clues .; 1. Uses context clues.; 2. Understands sentence structure.; III. Comprehension.; A. Locating Information .; 1. Can locate: title page, author, illustrations, publisher, copyright, year, and index.; 2. Uses table of contents.; B. Note Taking .; 1. Can take notes from reading.; 2. Can take notes from lecture.; C. Organizing Material Correctly .; 1. Uses Roman numerals and letters in outlining.; 2. Can list ideas in proper sequence.; 3. Can follow directions.; 4. Can summarize.; D. Uses Reference Materials Effectively .; 1. The Encyclopedia.; a. Understands topics arranged alphabetically.; b. Know meaning of characters on spine of each volume.; c. Knows different uses of dictionaries and encyclopedias.; 2. The Atlas and Maps.; a. Can use local maps to check known facts about streets and highways.; b. Can use atlas to find answers for questions on location, relative size, direction, and distance.; c. Can use maps to explain latitude and longitude.; 3. Use of magazines and newspapers to supply recent information.; 4. Can locate occupational information.; E. Can Interpret Graphs and Charts .; 1. Knows meaning of line graphs.; 2. Knows meaning of bar graphs.; 3. Can read charts.; F. Knows Metric Terms and Can Interpret Them.; G. Reading for Appreciation .; 1. Reads for pleasure.; 2. Reads from variety of sources.; 3. Reads several things by the same author.; IV. Oral and Silent Reading.; A. Oral Reading .; 1. Reads with understanding and expression.; 2. Varies rate of oral reading depending on material.; 3. Can read without constantly looking at material.; B. Silent Reading.; 1. Reads silently more rapidly than orally.; 2. Reads with good comprehension.; 3. Reads without lip or head movement or pointing.; 4. Enjoys reading silently.; Barbe Reading Skills Check List Sequential Skill Plan (Chart).