2006-06-17 11:28:23 · 9 answers · asked by Miss D 7 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
I would use an informal reading inventory (IRI). Many of them are available. I use the Jennings IRI, here is a link so that you can download it. http://wps.ablongman.com/ab_jennings_readprobs_5
IRI's are great because it assess comprehension as well as speed. If you see that a student is taking a long time reading you can guess that they are not decoding well. This IRI will help you find an approximate level for the student's reading ability and show you where to focus your instruction.
2006-06-18 19:27:52 · answer #1 · answered by amsmitty 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Open Court Reading program has grade level reading fluencies for teachers to give to students. First, they are not supposed to see the passage until the timer starts. Just remember you want to emphasize to the students that they aren't supposed to read as fast as they can. They should be reading at their normal speed. Also, accuracy counts. If they skip or misread a word, that word is subtracted from their total words per minute. The most important info you can get from fluencies is not the speed of the student, but what they are not getting. It can tell you if they need help in multisyllabic words, consonant blends, vowel sounds, etc. Then, this assessment can help drive your instruction. I like to have students keep a copy of the passage, after they are assessed, and they read it during free time or workshop. Numerous reading helps build their fluency.
2006-06-20 02:44:40 · answer #2 · answered by pobox01 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
count the words up to five lines. Then count the lines on a normal page and multiply then divide by five. have them read three - five pages and time them. it's measured by words per minute so if there are 300 words on a page and they read five pages in three minutes they read 500 words per minute.
Average is about 250-350 words per minute. A speed reader can keep comprehension of normal reading up to 1200 words per minute without too much information loss, providing they slow down when their mind wanders on a certain passage.
A reader can "skim" a passage to find out a general feel for certain subjects. This is where they only pick out certain key words (2-3 per line) and mentally "fudge" the other words. Any more than 3500 words per minute and the basic purpose of skimming is lost.
Other techniques to skimming are using a finger moving a certain way (like a figure "3" on a page) or to bounce the eyes from one side of a line to the other. also to widen the focus (which I found is nearly impossible to do).
hope this helps.
2006-06-17 18:34:29 · answer #3 · answered by igotalife2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When checking reading speed, make sure you are not just checking how many words can be read, but the accuracy of what is read. Check to see how many words are totally wrong, how many are self corrected, how many punctuation marks are skipped or used incorrectly. Also, speed isn't the most important. Make sure that along with the speed, students can also comprehend the information they have just read.
2006-06-17 20:36:47 · answer #4 · answered by cgray411 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in my district, we give the kids one minute to read a grade level passage...then we count how many words they read in that minute. I personally think comprehension is more important then speed. I also think that using expression and appropriate pacing, paying attention to punctuation, decoding quickly and knowing sight words is more important then just speed. But, if you are looking for a way to just test speed, try giving them a minute and count up the words read. Make sure it is a passage written on their grade level though otherwise if it is below or above grade level, the results won't be true.
2006-06-17 20:48:08 · answer #5 · answered by pammy_6201 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use a speed reading test that records time spent and words read; the calcaulate words and time to show "WORD per MINUTE". Do that several times and after that make an average speed ability. Hope this help.
2006-06-17 21:09:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I done no, i tuk th ev1lyn woodhed sped redding corse
an now I spek funi, rit fune an mose tim jus set roon listinen tu ol cheech an chong rekurds...
I agree with the first response -- teach comprehension.
My 1st & 2nd grade reading teacher was a strict disciplinarian who knew squat about teaching. She cared more about making students read according to her instructions than about fostering a desire to read.
I was an advanced reader when I entered school, well past the simple primers she used (I had an adult library card). Thank goodness my reading didn't depend on her methods.
2006-06-17 18:48:45 · answer #7 · answered by Bender 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
make a student read a passage in one minute and then check how many words they read in one minute
2006-06-17 20:21:59 · answer #8 · answered by rosepetal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
teach comprehension, speed is irrelevant
2006-06-17 18:33:03 · answer #9 · answered by maryihs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋