New: Bricks & Mortar: Filling Literacy Gaps 3–5+: filling literacy gaps in grades 3–5. Enrollment is open

New: Bricks & Mortar: Filling Literacy Gaps 3–5+. Enrollment is open. Explore the class →

Home› Resource Library› Decodable Texts› Questions for Using 3 Tensions in Beginning Reader Text Selection

Free resourcesFree literacy resources in the Resource LibraryBrowse the Resource Library →

Free download · Decodable Texts

Questions for Using 3 Tensions in Beginning Reader Text Selection

Questions to guide thoughtful text selection for beginning readers, using the three tensions described in Shifting the Balance K–2.

Preview of Questions for Using 3 Tensions in Beginning Reader Text Selection

Beyond this resource

More Ways to Support Your Literacy Instruction

Free printables from the Resource Library

The Resource Library

All resources by reading skill. Every printable in one place.

Browse the library →

The D.I.G., Heart Word Success and Blending Magic on laptops

Classroom Tools

Ready-to-use tools that support purposeful literacy instruction.

Explore classroom tools →

Shifting the Balance K–2 and 3–5 and Bricks & Mortar online classes

Online Classes

Professional learning that connects research and classroom practice.

Explore online classes →

Questions for Using 3 Tensions in Beginning Reader Text SelectionGet your free download

Keep exploring

Related Free Downloads

Explore more free resources to support your literacy instruction.

Cat Naps: Print-and-Assemble PDF

A delightful print-and-assemble decodable book for practicing short-a CVC words.

Download free →

Cat Naps: Printable One-Pager

A one-page version of Cat Naps for short-a CVC decoding practice.

Download free →

A Pup Can: Print-and-Assemble PDF

An engaging print-and-assemble decodable book for practicing short-vowel CVC words.

Download free →

A Pup Can: Printable One-Pager

A one-page printable version of A Pup Can for short-vowel CVC decoding practice.

Download free →

10 Power Moves for Teaching the 109 Power Words

Ten research-informed moves for teaching high-frequency words, from matching words to your phonics focus to letting the data drive…

Download free →

Phonics Instruction that Supports a Lifetime of Literacy

A one-page graphic showing what systematic, explicit, and responsive phonics instruction looks like and how it supports reading, writing,…

Download free →

First Grade Heart Words

A word list to support planning for first-grade high-frequency word instruction.

Download free →

Cracking the Code on CVC Words

An infographic explainer of CVC words and related closed-syllable patterns, including words with consonant digraphs and blends.

Download free →

Heart Word or Not? And Next Steps for Instruction

A reference for considering which high-frequency words are decodable with students’ current phonics knowledge and which spellings need explicit…

Download free →

Possibilities for Kindergarten High-Frequency Word Instruction

A guide to selecting high-frequency words for kindergarten instruction, with two categories drawn from the 109 Power Words list.

Download free →

1,2,3 Draw: Decodable Sentences (Final e)

A read, repeat, and draw routine using final-e decodable sentences to bring decoding, fluency, and comprehension together in independent…

Download free →

1,2,3 Draw: Decodable Sentences (CVC)

A read, repeat, and draw routine using CVC decodable sentences to bring decoding, fluency, and comprehension together in independent…

Download free →

Explore All Free Downloads →

Put it into practice

Build stronger readers, spellers, and word learners.

Blending Magic brings decoding, spelling, and vocabulary together in ready-to-use routines, helping students connect sounds, spellings, and meanings as they read and write words.

Classroom tool

Blending Magic

Explore Blending Magic →