The Really Learn To Read! phonics-based reading activity books are designed around the principles developed by Edward Fry.

Edward Fry developed one of the more popular Reading Formulas – the Fry Graph Readability Formula. Fry, who worked as a Fulbright Scholar in Uganda, also helped teachers to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) for a few years, from 1963 and onwards. During his early days, Fry developed readability tests based on a graph [A Readability Formula That Saves Time, Journal of Reading (1968)]. This graph-based test determined readability through high school; it was validated with materials from primary and secondary schools and with results of other readability formulas.

In 1969, Fry extended the graph to primary levels. In his book Elementary Reading Instruction in 1977, Fry extended the graph to test through the college years. Fry advised that an individual’s vocabulary continues to grow during college years, yet the reading ability varies depending on the individual and the subjects taught.

Fry went on to become Director of the Reading Center of Rutgers University and an authority on how people learn to read.

Fry Graph Readability Formula

Based on many years of testing researchers and linguists, the Fry Graph is the most reliable and popular readability graph test.

Formula: number of syllables/100 words
number of sentences/100 words

• Short a Grade 1
• Short i Grades 1-3
• Short o Grades 3-6
• Short u Grades 4-6
• Short e Grades 4-7