Artwork for podcast Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten
123. Decodable Books vs Leveled Texts in Kindergarten
Episode 12326th February 2026 • Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten • Zeba McGibbon
00:00:00 00:15:04

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Feeling torn between leveled readers and decodables? There are strong opinions out there, but in this episode, I share the difference between the two and what I use in my classroom (and why). I also share my favorite decodable resources and how I use them during small groups and independent reading time.

In this episode I share:

  1. The difference between decodable vs. leveled books
  2. Why I stopped using leveled texts in small groups
  3. How decodables build student confidence and support phonics instruction
  4. When it’s okay to mix in leveled texts
  5. How to match decodable texts to students' phonics skills
  6. Tips for organizing your classroom library and book bags
  7. Why it’s okay if you’ve done things differently in the past (you’re learning!)

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Related Episodes:

  1. Science of Reading 101 With Heidi from Droppin’ Knowledge ~ Ep. 81

Resources:

  1. Decodable Readers


Connect with Zeba:

  1. Instagram - @kindergartencafe
  2. Facebook - @kindergartencafe
  3. Website - www.kindergartencafe.org
  4. Tik Tok - @kindergartencafe

Mentioned in this episode:

Kindergarten Essentials

Grab the year-long, mega-bundle kindergarten activities here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Teacher-Essentials-Year-Long-Mega-Bundle-Kindergarten-Activities-8356704

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