Reading quickly and with ease is very important to successful reading, but, like running, it requires a lot of coaching and practice. To become a fluent reader, your child must practice reading quickly. Remember, however, that too much practice at one time is not helpful.
What you'll need:
* A watch or clock with a second hand and a book. Your child must be able to read the book with little or no help.
What to do:
* Tell your child, "Let's play a game called the one-minute dash. I want to see how many words you can read in one minute." (Point to a place in the book where the child should begin reading.)
Then, "When I say Go, I want you to begin reading. After one minute, I'll tell you to stop." When your child is ready to start, say, "Get ready. . . Set. . . GO!" Check your watch. After a minute, ask your child to stop reading.
Count the total number of words your child read. If you like, make a chart to show how many words per minute your child has read in a week, two weeks, a month, or more.
READ*WRITE*NOW Activities for Reading and Writing Fun - May 1997
