Fold 1
- Ages
- 4–6
- Reading grade
- Pre-K–K
- Stage
- First Reader
- Book
- 6 × 9 in, 24 pp
- Words
- 101
- Words a sentence
- 3.4
- Longest sentence
- 7 words
- Flesch–Kincaid grade
- -2.5
For educators
Six books on the same six stones, from a child's first book to read alone to popular science for adults. A class can study the same facts with every reader in a book they can manage.
The reading ladder
Measured on each book's reader-facing text with the Flesch–Kincaid formula, the same count the books are checked against before print.
| Measure | Fold 1 | Fold 2 | Fold 3 | Fold 4 | Fold 5 | Fold 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ages | 4–6 | 6–8 | 8–10 | 10–12 | 12+ | 12+ |
| Reading grade | Pre-K–K | not graded | not graded | not graded | not graded | not graded |
| Stage | First Reader | Read Together | Early Reader | Explorer | Field Guide | Deep Dive |
| Book | 6 × 9 in, 24 pp | 8.5 × 8.5 in, 32 pp | 6 × 9 in, 32 pp | 8 × 10 in, 40 pp | 8 × 10 in, 48 pp | 6 × 9 in, 64 pp |
| Words | 101 | coming | coming | coming | coming | coming |
| Words a sentence | 3.4 | coming | coming | coming | coming | coming |
| Longest sentence | 7 words | coming | coming | coming | coming | coming |
| Flesch–Kincaid grade | -2.5 | coming | coming | coming | coming | coming |
Fold 2
- Ages
- 6–8
- Reading grade
- not graded
- Stage
- Read Together
- Book
- 8.5 × 8.5 in, 32 pp
- Words
- coming
- Words a sentence
- coming
- Longest sentence
- coming
- Flesch–Kincaid grade
- coming
Fold 3
- Ages
- 8–10
- Reading grade
- not graded
- Stage
- Early Reader
- Book
- 6 × 9 in, 32 pp
- Words
- coming
- Words a sentence
- coming
- Longest sentence
- coming
- Flesch–Kincaid grade
- coming
Fold 4
- Ages
- 10–12
- Reading grade
- not graded
- Stage
- Explorer
- Book
- 8 × 10 in, 40 pp
- Words
- coming
- Words a sentence
- coming
- Longest sentence
- coming
- Flesch–Kincaid grade
- coming
Fold 5
- Ages
- 12+
- Reading grade
- not graded
- Stage
- Field Guide
- Book
- 8 × 10 in, 48 pp
- Words
- coming
- Words a sentence
- coming
- Longest sentence
- coming
- Flesch–Kincaid grade
- coming
Fold 6
- Ages
- 12+
- Reading grade
- not graded
- Stage
- Deep Dive
- Book
- 6 × 9 in, 64 pp
- Words
- coming
- Words a sentence
- coming
- Longest sentence
- coming
- Flesch–Kincaid grade
- coming
Using the set with mixed readers
Start everyone on one fact
Open the ladder on the board and pick a fact. Each fold tells the same fact in its own words, so the whole class can talk about it together, whatever they are reading.
Hand out by fold, not by name
Children choose the fold that fits them this week and move up when they are ready. Because the facts match, a group reading different folds can still compare notes.
Climb one rung
A confident reader reads a fact in their own fold, then the next fold up, and tells a partner what the deeper version adds.
Let the youngest listen
Where narration is available, Read to me lights each sentence as it is spoken. It suits pre-readers and children new to English.
Trace a sentence to its source
Older students pick a sentence, find its fact in the fact bank and open the source behind it. It is a short lesson in checking what you read.
Fold by fold
Dig, Dig, Dig!
Fold 1 · First Reader · Ages 4–6
What it is for
Read the Words to know page together first: gem, rock and blue, each with its picture. Every other word in the story is either a short word to sound out or a common sight word such as the, is or you. Let your child point to each word and take their time. When one of the three taught words stops them, turn back to page 3 and its picture; for any other word, sound it out together rather than guessing from the picture. The age band is a guide, not a promise that every child is ready. Pages 22 and 23 give adults the facts and sources behind the pictures. For a longer book to read together, try Fold 2, Hello, Rare Stones!
Talk about it
Questions the book asks its reader:
- One gem?
- Can you spot it?
- What is next?
Words
- gem
- a stone to cut
- rock
- hard stuff
- blue
- like the sky
Hello, Rare Stones!
Fold 2 · Read Together · Ages 6–8
What it is for
A picture book to read together. An adult reads the lines and questions while the child joins in.
Talk about it
Questions appear here once the book is written.
Words
Vocabulary appears here once the book is written.
Rare Stones: Hidden in the Gravel
Fold 3 · Early Reader · Ages 8–10
What it is for
Short sentences for children starting to read on their own, with a picture on every reading page and useful new words taught first.
Talk about it
Questions appear here once the book is written.
Words
Vocabulary appears here once the book is written.
Rare Stones: Secrets of the Rarest Gems
Fold 4 · Explorer · Ages 10–12
What it is for
A first chapter book, with Zuri and Finn asking questions, clear diagrams and short explanations.
Talk about it
Questions appear here once the book is written.
Words
Vocabulary appears here once the book is written.
Rare Stones: A Field Guide
Fold 5 · Field Guide · Ages 12+
What it is for
A field guide for independent readers: compare minerals, follow the clues a gemologist uses and ask how scientists know.
Talk about it
Questions appear here once the book is written.
Words
Vocabulary appears here once the book is written.
Rare Stones, Unfolded: Why Some Minerals Are So Hard to Find
Fold 6 · Deep Dive · Ages 12+
What it is for
Long-form popular science for teenagers and adults, with connected explanations, numbered notes and published sources.
Talk about it
Questions appear here once the book is written.
Words
Vocabulary appears here once the book is written.