Improve Reading Speed and Accuracy
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What you will learn
- 1Measure reading speed and accuracy using a timed reading exercise
- 2Identify common reading errors and apply correction strategies
- 3Track progress using a self-assessment score sheet
Mini Lesson
Reading speed and accuracy work together. Speed without accuracy produces mistakes that lose meaning; accuracy without speed can make reading feel slow and labored. The goal is to build both at the same time through repeated practice and careful self-monitoring.
How to Measure Reading Fluency
- Set a timer for one minute.
- Read aloud as clearly and accurately as you can.
- Count the number of words you read correctly.
- Note any errors: substitutions (saying a different word), omissions (skipping words), hesitations (stopping).
- Record your WCPM (words correct per minute) score.
Common Errors and How to Fix Them
- Substitution — saying the wrong word: re-read the sentence and use context to self-correct.
- Omission — skipping a word: slow down and follow the text with your finger.
- Hesitation — stopping at an unknown word: try sounding it out syllable by syllable.
- Repetition — re-reading a phrase unnecessarily: practice the passage until it feels natural.
Words to know
WCPM
Words Correct Per Minute — a measure of reading fluency
e.g. Her WCPM score improved from 82 to 94 in three weeks.
Substitution
Reading a different word in place of the one on the page
e.g. He said "horse" instead of "house" — a substitution error.
Omission
Skipping over a word while reading
e.g. She omitted "not" and changed the meaning of the sentence.
Self-monitoring
Noticing your own errors while reading and correcting them
e.g. He self-monitored by re-reading the sentence when it didn't make sense.
Chart your WCPM score each week. Even a small improvement — just 5 more words per minute — shows that your fluency is growing. Progress is motivation.
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