As teachers, we all know how vital reading skills are for our students. Without the confidence and skill to read, our students struggle in almost every subject area. While there are a myriad of literacy interventions available, today we’re going to explore a simple yet powerful activity that can help boost reading speed, accuracy, and comprehension: timed repeated readings (TRR).
So, how do timed repeated readings work?
Materials Needed for Timed Repeated Readings
First, you’ll need to gather leveled reading passages that match each student’s reading level, along with a timer (your phone’s timer works great!).
Typically, this activity takes place Monday through Friday, with a new reading text each week.
- leveled reading passages
- timer
Timed Repeated Readings Method
On day one, start with a one-minute timed cold read of the passage. At the end of one minute, students use the numbers on the side of the text to count and record the number of words they read in that minute. If an adult reads with the student, any words read incorrectly are circled and then subtracted from the total. Students then record this number on a goal sheet, showing the number of words read in one minute.
Each day of the week, students repeat the timed reading while being timed. The goal is to increase the number of words read with each reading by one or two words per day. This way, students can see their progress from the previous day and experience a sense of achievement as the week goes on.
Benefits of the Repeated Readings
Timed repeated readings offer a structured yet low-pressure way to help students increase their reading speed while building accuracy and fluency. By watching their progress each day, students also build important skills in goal setting and self-reflection.
When implementing this activity, it’s important to remember that students should not be competing with each other or made to feel like they are in any kind of race. Rather, timed repeated readings are an individual activity, working with each student’s specific reading level and skill set.
Final Thoughts
Helping students build strong reading skills is a crucial part of the elementary curriculum. Timed repeated readings are an effective and engaging way to boost literacy and help students feel confident in their abilities.
If you’d like to learn how to extend the learning of Timed Repeated Reading Passages, I have some great suggestions in this blog post.
So why not give this activity a try in your classroom or home?
You might be surprised at the progress your students can make in just one week!
Here are some links to leveled reading passages created for the purpose of Time Repeated Readings.
- Friendship Reading Fluency Passages
- Amusement Park Fun Reading Fluency Passages
- Save the Bees! Reading Fluency Passages
- St. Patrick’s Day Reading Fluency Passages
- Earth Day Reading Fluency Passages
- Beach Trip Reading Fluency Passages
–Melissa
If you’re looking for more ideas on creating a writing routine that works for your elementary-aged students, be sure to check out my Sentences, Paragraphs, and Essays: Oh, my! E-book. You’ll love the tips, tricks, and activities to excite your students about writing!
