High Interest Low Level Readings for Older Struggling Students

High interest low level reading passages can motivate struggling readers by providing passages on topics they are interested in and ones their peers are reading, but targeted to their reading levels. Such passages can be difficult to find.

The passages linked below, help build reading fluency, vocabulary, background knowledge and interest in reading. The passages scaffold and introduce multisyllabic vocabulary in a context where older students can decode more difficult words because the surrounding words are easier than the same words in the context of more complex texts.

"The complexities of words in different subject areas increase as students transition from elementary school to middle school. Although most secondary school readers can read monosyllabic words, many other older readers have difficulty with reading multisyllabic words because of their poor phonological and morphological skills. Explicit word-reading instruction, focused on syllabic and morphemic analyses of multisyllabic words, therefore should be considered for advancing older struggling readers’ word-reading skills." Bhattacharya, A. (2020). Syllabic Versus Morphemic Analyses: Teaching Multisyllabic Word Reading to Older Struggling Readers. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 63( 5), 491– 497. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaal.984. These passages do just that!

Set 1: High Interest Low Level Reading Passages Set 1: Pop Culture, Sports and Influencers   - Kobe Bryant, Serena, Williams, Sommer Ray, Iron Man, The ATV Race, Friends in 1971, At Dinner, Peter Parker, Devon's Dogs, Jane Bolin, Video Games are Big Money, Acadia National Park, Arches National Park in Utah, The Spring Mountains, Yellowstone, To the Lake, Kylie Jenner, Elle Fanning, Cody Simpson, and Willow Smith

These reading passages, with comprehension assessments, that are high interest but at accessible reading levels. These resources are perfect for reluctant older readers who need reading practice but are put off by text that looks “young” or “babyish.” The passages revolve around ancient civilizations. These resources also come in GOOGLE SLIDE form.

The reading techniques used in these resources are research-based and appeal to students in grades 5 through 12. Readability scores were determined using the Renaissance ATOS calculator. 

High Interest Low Level Reading Passages: Set 2: Topics

The Notch (Minecraft) page 7

Sheila Johnson page 9

Making a Lot of Money vs. Being Rich: Sophia Bush page 11

Chadwick Boseman page 13

Black Panther (Marvel Comics) page 15

Spider-Man – The Most Popular of All-Time page 17

Katniss Everdeen page 19

Veronica Roth page 21

Danny Duncan page 23

Emma Chamberlain page 25

Nike page 27

LeBron James page 29

Joan of Arc – Part 1 page 31

Joan of Arc – Part 2 page 33

Wonder Woman page 35

Magic the Gathering page 37

Six Flags page 39

Wakeboarding page 41

Where the Wild Things Are page 42

Random Facts page 45

Eerie Passages, Hauntings, and Ghost Stories is a student favorite!

Other High Interest Low Level Passage Resources include:

High Low Readings Set 1

High Low Readings Set 2

High Low Readings Set 3

High Low Readings Set 4

High Low Readings Set 5

High Low Readings Set 6 20 High Interest: Low Level Reading: First 100 Word-Based Grades 5-12

High Low Readings Set 7

High Low Reading Set 8

HighLowReadingSet 9 – December Holiday Themed

60 High Low Reading Passages-Sets 4, 5, & 6: Multiple Formats - BUNDLE 3

11 - ELEVEN High Low Reading AND Fluency Resources MEGA Bundle

20 SPOOKY High Low Passages - Google, Form Fillable PDF - Hybrid Ready

High Low Reading Fiction Passages w/ Interactive Workbook - Passages at 2 Levels

GROWING HIGH INTEREST: LOW LEVEL BUNDLE

Sets 1, 2, and 3 High Low Bundle