In Chall's Stages of Reading, which stage involves reading multiple texts and assimilating information?

The Construction and Reconstruction stage in Chall's Stages of Reading is characterized by the reader's ability to engage with multiple texts and to synthesize information from various sources. At this point in their reading development, learners are moving beyond just decoding words and phrases to understanding deeper meanings, making connections, and critically analyzing what they read. They are able to reconstruct knowledge based on interactions with different literary pieces, thus demonstrating higher-level comprehension skills.

During this stage, students typically start to integrate their background knowledge and experiences with the new information they are reading. They begin to evaluate the reliability of sources, discern authors' purposes, and critically engage with texts rather than passively consuming information. This positions them as more independent learners and thinkers capable of navigating complex ideas and themes across various genres and formats.

The other stages do not focus on the assimilation of information from multiple texts in the same way. The Developmental stage refers more generally to the progression of reading skills, the Decoding phase centers on recognizing words and understanding basic texts, and the Pre Reading stage involves preparing to read, rather than reading several texts and integrating their messages. Hence, the Construction and Reconstruction stage is pivotal in developing critical reading and thinking skills essential for academic success and lifelong learning.