Strategy Overview

Studies have shown that an “effective method of improving reading rate has been via timed readings, where learners focus on reading faster by silently reading short, highly comprehensible passages over regular intervals and answering comprehension questions about the texts” (Shimono, 2019, p. 141).

Timed reading contest (against yourself) is a great way for students to improve their reading rate. Timed reading is where students set an appropriate amount of time for themselves to read a text. Once the timer has finished, they should circle the last word they read. They should then re-read the passage to see if they can read at a faster rate. The student should circle the next last word they read in a different color, to see the difference. It is important to note that the student should not be reading too fast. This is important because it helps students set and reach their own fluency goals in regard to reading rate. As a reminder, it is important to work on all aspects of fluency not just speed. However, this reading contest activity provides a challenge for students making it an engaging activity. This is an activity that can be set up at the beginning of small group reading for 5 minutes or something that students can do during independent reading.

Related Resources

Lyne, L. (2016). Effects of explicit timing on elementary students’ oral reading rates of word phrases. In A Cross Section of Educational Research: Journal Articles for Discussion and Evaluation (pp. 138–144). Routledge.

References

Shimono, T. (2019). The effects of repeated oral readinf and times reading on L2 oral reading fluency. The Reading Matrix, 19(1), 139-154.