Teach Standard, Too
Mary I. Berger
Teach Standard, Too
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Teach Oral and Written Standard English As a Second Dialect to English-Speaking Students
by Mary I. Berger
Illustrated by Ronald Boyd
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered how people can speak different ways yet still understand each other? Imagine learning to use a special kind of English that's perfect for school and work, without losing the way you talk at home. What happens when two ways of speaking come together in a fun and easy way?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Teach Standard, Too offers a comprehensive, nonjudgmental approach to teaching standard English to students ages 9-12, while respecting and preserving their home dialects. This teacher's manual includes 95 scripted lessons designed to improve reading and writing skills through bi-dialectal methods, supported by writing journals and audio materials. Parents should note its educational focus on language acquisition and cultural sensitivity, making it suitable for diverse classrooms.
Why we rated Teach Standard, Too 12C
Teach Standard, Too is written at a Level 8 reading level across 520 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Teach Standard, Too works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Teach Standard, Too as 12C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Teach Standard, Too explores education, language learning, multicultural, and reference — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about education, language learning, multicultural.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780963077837
- Pages
- 520
- Publisher
- Orchard Books, Inc.
- Published
- October 2, 1998
- Type
- Nonfiction