Repeated Reading and Tracking Your Progress

Use timed rereading of a passage to build accuracy, rate, and expression.

Repeated reading is one of the best-studied ways to build fluency. Choose a passage of about 150–250 words that is slightly challenging. Read it aloud for one minute while a partner or a recording tracks errors. Count words read correctly per minute: total words read minus errors. Then reread the same passage two or three more times, aiming to improve accuracy and phrasing, not just speed. For example: first read, 132 words with 6 errors gives 126 correct per minute. Third read, 150 words with 2 errors gives 148.

Record each score on a simple chart. Rate is only one measure, so also rate your expression from 1 to 4: did you pause at punctuation, group words into phrases, and sound like you understood? Middle-school readers often see their skills transfer: improvement on practiced passages gradually shows up on new passages as well, especially when practice is regular.

• 1Reread a slightly challenging passage several times
• 2Words correct per minute = words read minus errors
• 3Rate expression too, not just speed
• 4Gains on practiced passages transfer to new ones over time