1.  Use a real book, as opposed to one that is a “phonics” book or one with a very small number different words in it. 

2.  Choose a book that is intended for students at the same grade or age level as your child, and that they are interested in.

3.  If your child is in Grades 1-4, use a book that is about 100-200 words long.  In Grades 5-8, use a passage of about 200-300 words.  

4.  Tell the child that the goal is not to finish the book or passage by the time the timer goes off.   

5.  Set a timer.  Have the child read aloud for 1 minute.  

6.  When the timer goes off, praise your child!  Then count up the number of words that they read, and mark it down. 

7. You can even chart your child’s progress!  This will challenge them to read more words the next time, in one minute.

8.  Write the words they made mistakes on, on flash cards.  Go over these words together. 

8.  The next day, review the words on the cards, set the timer, and repeat the steps above!

9.  Remember, it is important to do this daily!  Do not miss a day if you can possibly avoid it!  You will very likely not see results, without this daily commitment.

10.  Follow this method for about 10 days with one book or passage. Then choose a new one, and repeat!

Disclaimer:  This is a simplified version of the precision reading method designed by Dr. Freeze (2002 / 2010). 

I have left out some features of his method for the purpose of providing a quick introduction.   For a more detailed description, please see his book Precision Reading:  Instructors Handbook.

Use the following method with children who only know a very small number of words, so far: 

1. Choose a book that is interesting to your child, that is approximately 100 words long. 

2. Begin by reading  the text aloud to the child, with them sitting next to you.  Have them follow along with you, looking at the words as you read. 

3. Next read the words in chunks of three to four words, and have the child repeat after you.  Do this for three or four days. 

4. On about the fourth day, have your child read with you, saying the words at the same time. 

5. Over the next few days, slowly begin to read a bit slower than your child, so that they are saying the words before you. 

   – Read quietly, with them, to start with, but begin to slow down so that they are saying the next word before you get to it. 

  –  Go faster or louder for the parts that they are unsure about, then slow back down once they are able to read the words. 

Eventually your child will be able to read the book without your support!

Once they can read the book / text by themselves, have them read, and reread the same book or text all by themselves for ten days or so. 

Then do this same procedure with a new book!

(Freeze, 2002/2010, pp. 83-85)

  Tell your child that they only need to read for one minute.  Have them sit next to you, with a timer ready.  

Say, “On your mark, get set, go!”  

Once the alarm goes off, praise your child with enthusiasm!   Tell them some things they did well, and show them one or two errors they made. 

Tell them they are done for today – then do this again, every day! 

Try to do it at the same time every day. 

Tell the child that after their reading they can do a fun activity that they choose! 

Be sure to provide the promised activity every time, to build trust. 

 To read more about the research that supports repeated readings and fluency instruction, please go to my blog, to the posts in my “Evidence-Based Practices Series”.