Reading fluency is a crucial skill for academic success and improving it can significantly enhance a student's comprehension and overall learning experience. Repeated reading is an effective method to help students improve their reading fluency, accuracy and speed. This guide outlines a step-by-step approach for implementing repeated reading as an individual intervention for a secondary school student.
Understanding Repeated Reading
Repeated reading involves reading the same text multiple times until a level of fluency is achieved. This method is particularly beneficial for students who may be struggling with reading. It helps improve accuracy, speed, and comprehension, while also boosting confidence.
Benefits of Repeated Reading
1. Improved Fluency, accuracy, speed: Familiarity with the text leads to smoother and faster reading.
2. Enhanced Comprehension: Repeated exposure allows the student to focus on understanding rather than decoding.
3. Increased Confidence: As fluency improves, the student's confidence in reading grows.
4. Better Vocabulary: Repeated encounters with words reinforce vocabulary and word recognition.
Implementing Repeated Reading for Individual Intervention
Step 1: Selecting the Right Text
Choose a text that is slightly above the student's current reading level but still accessible. Consider the following:
- Interest: Select a topic that engages the student to maintain motivation.
- Length: Opt for short passages (100-200 words) to keep the sessions manageable.
- Complexity: Ensure the text includes a mix of familiar and new vocabulary.
Step 2: Setting Clear Objectives
Establish clear, achievable objectives for the intervention. These could include:
- Achieving a specific reading speed (e.g., words per minute).
- Reducing the number of errors.
- Improving comprehension scores on quizzes or discussions.
Step 3: Modelling the Process
Begin by reading the selected text aloud to the student, demonstrating proper pronunciation, intonation, and pacing. This provides a clear example for the student to emulate.
Step 4: Guided Practice
Have the student read the text aloud. Listen carefully and provide constructive feedback on areas such as pronunciation and pacing. Offer encouragement and support to build confidence.
Step 5: Independent Practice
Encourage the student to practice reading the text independently. Suggest timing themselves and tracking their progress over multiple readings. This self-assessment helps the student take ownership of their learning.
Step 6: Monitoring Progress
Use tools such as reading logs or fluency charts to monitor the student's progress. Regularly assess their reading speed and accuracy, providing feedback and setting new goals as needed.
Strategies to Enhance Repeated Reading
Incorporating Technology
Utilise technology to enhance the repeated reading experience. Audiobooks and text-to-speech software can provide the student with additional models of fluent reading. Apps that track reading speed and accuracy can also motivate the student by showing their progress over time.
Differentiating Instruction
Adapt the repeated reading approach to meet the student's specific needs. If the student is advanced, incorporate more complex texts or focus on deeper comprehension questions. If the student is struggling, provide additional support through one-on-one sessions or simplified texts.
Encouraging Reflection
Encourage the student to reflect on their reading progress. Ask them to consider questions such as:
- How has my reading speed changed?
- What new vocabulary have I learned?
- What words can I now pronounce accurately?
- How has my understanding of the text improved?
Reflection helps the student recognise their achievements and areas for improvement.
Conclusion
Repeated reading is a powerful tool for improving reading accuracy and speed in individual interventions. By carefully selecting texts, setting clear objectives, and providing guided practice, you can help the student become a more fluent and confident reader. Incorporating technology, differentiating instruction, and encouraging reflection further enhance the effectiveness of this method. By implementing repeated reading as an individual intervention, you can support the student in developing essential reading skills that will benefit them across all areas of their education.
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