So You Finished Decodable Readers, Now What? What Comes After Decodable Readers for Kindergarten, First Grade, and Older Students

So You Finished Decodable Readers, Now What? What Comes After Decodable Readers for Kindergarten, First Grade, and Older Students

So You Finished Decodable Readers, Now What? 

Think your child is ready for chapter books after decodable readers? Think again! Most parents believe the next logical step is diving straight into early chapter books. But did you know that skipping the critical stage after decodable readers could slow your child’s progress? Let’s dive into the truth about what comes after decodable readers and discover why the next step is more important than you think!

Why Decodable Readers Aren’t the Final Stop

Decodable readers are fantastic for building essential phonics and decoding skills. They help kids unlock the mystery of how sounds and letters work together to form words. But here’s the thing—finishing decodable readers isn’t the end of the road. It’s just the beginning.

I remember working with a boy named Noah. He had mastered his decodable books and was ready for the next challenge. His parents wanted him to jump straight into chapter books, but he wasn’t quite ready for that leap. It’s important to recognize that decodable readers provide a solid foundation, but there’s still a lot more to cover before kids can confidently take on more complex texts.

What Comes After Decodable Readers for Kindergarten Students? Picture Books Still Play a Major Role

It’s rare for a kindergartener to fully master decodable books. Most still need to build on the basics of reading. So what comes next? Picture books. That’s right—picture books continue to be crucial for kindergarteners who are moving beyond decodable texts. They may not be as structured in phonics, but picture books offer rich vocabulary and engaging storylines that help develop comprehension skills.

Why Picture Books Matter:

  • Phonemic Awareness and Vocabulary: Picture books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar or Brown Bear, Brown Bear expose young readers to new words and rhythms. These books often rhyme, repeat, and use simple sentence structures that reinforce phonemic awareness in a fun, engaging way.

  • Comprehension and Story Structure: Picture books also introduce more complex narratives and help children learn how stories are structured. Books like Where the Wild Things Are offer opportunities for kids to predict, infer, and discuss characters, themes, and plot—skills they’ll need later when they tackle more advanced books.

  • Fluency and Stamina: Reading longer picture books helps build reading stamina. Kindergarteners get used to sitting with a story and absorbing more text without losing focus.

For kids like Noah, continuing with rich picture books after decodable readers was the key to developing his language skills without overwhelming him with complex chapter books too soon.

What Comes After Decodable Readers for First Graders? Chapter Books Start Here

By first grade, many students are ready to begin transitioning into early chapter books. However, this doesn’t mean jumping straight into lengthy novels. The focus should still be on manageable, engaging books that slowly stretch their reading muscles without causing frustration.

Early Chapter Books for First Graders:

  • Simple Sentences and Supportive Illustrations: Early chapter books, like Kingston and the Dragon's Cove, offer slightly more complex sentences than decodable readers but still provide easy and shorter chapters to support young readers. These books help first graders practice fluency while building reading confidence.

  • Nonfiction Choices: Don’t forget nonfiction! First graders can start exploring simple nonfiction books on topics they’re passionate about—like dinosaurs, space, or animals. This gives them exposure to factual text while maintaining their interest.

  • Focus on Fluency and Vocabulary: At this stage, students should be focusing on building fluency—reading with speed, accuracy, and expression. Encourage rereading favorite books to strengthen this skill.

For a first grader like Olivia, exploring early chapter books made reading exciting and fun. She felt like she was growing as a reader without feeling overwhelmed by too-difficult texts.

What Comes After Decodable Readers for Older Students? Stepping Up to Middle-Grade Books

For older students who have moved beyond decodable readers but aren’t quite ready for full-fledged novels, middle-grade books are the next logical step. These books still offer shorter chapters, but with more complex plots and richer language.

Next-Level Reads for Older Students:

  • Longer Chapter Books: Older students can start tackling series like Shadow Ninjas, which offer more intricate storylines. These books build stamina and encourage students to read longer sections with minimal breaks.

  • Deepening Comprehension: As students progress, focus on developing deeper comprehension. Encourage them to summarize what they’ve read, make predictions about the plot, or even discuss the motivations of the characters. Books at this level present more nuanced narratives, which help build critical thinking skills.

  • Exploring Different Genres: Now’s the time to introduce a variety of genres like mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction. Older students can also benefit from reading poetry or exploring short biographies that open them up to a wider world of reading.

For older students like Sarah, middle-grade books gave her the confidence to read independently while still providing enough support to keep her engaged and improving.

Myths About What Comes After Decodable Readers

Myth 1: Decodable Readers Are All You Need
While decodable readers are a fantastic tool for teaching phonics, they’re not enough to develop a fully rounded reader. After decodable readers, students need a wider range of texts to build fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary.

Myth 2: Jumping to Chapter Books Is the Only Next Step
It’s common to assume that after decodable books, kids should dive right into chapter books. But moving too quickly can cause frustration. Picture books and early chapter books play an essential role in gently guiding children through the next stages of reading.

Myth 3: Older Students Who Struggle Don’t Need Decodable Books
Some parents and teachers think decodable books are only for young kids. In reality, older students who struggle with phonics can still benefit from decodable readers as a tool to reinforce foundational skills before moving on to more complex texts.

FAQs About What Comes After Decodable Readers

Question Answer
When is a child ready to move beyond decodable readers? When they can read fluently with 95% accuracy and are confident with familiar phonics patterns.
What kind of books should I introduce after decodable readers? Picture books, early chapter books, and nonfiction books that match their reading level and interests.
Can older struggling readers still benefit from decodable readers? Yes, decodable readers can be used as a tool for phonics review, even with older students who struggle with decoding.
How can I keep my child engaged after decodable readers? Introduce a variety of genres and text types, build a reading routine, and choose books that match their interests and reading level.


Conclusion: The Journey Doesn’t End After Decodable Readers

Finishing decodable readers is a huge milestone, but it’s only the beginning of your child’s reading journey. Whether they’re in kindergarten, first grade, or older, transitioning to picture books, early chapter books, or middle-grade novels is essential to keep building fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. Each child’s journey will look different, but the key is to find the right balance of challenge and support to keep them growing as readers.

Ready to guide your child to the next level of reading? Explore our decodable chapter book selection!