Dear Parent/Guardian,

Your child is currently working on the literacy strategy, Adjust and apply different reading rates to match text, which helps with the overall goal, Fluency.

When reading, more experienced readers often adjust their speed to match their purpose for reading. If reading a story for pleasure, a reader may use a constant pace that allows them to fully enjoy the entire story. If reading for information, a reader may read quickly or scan text to find specific information. If reading to remember new material, a reader may read more slowly.

Many readers are unaware that other readers adjust their rate to match their purpose for reading. These readers often read everything at the same rate and struggle to complete and comprehend lengthy text. By learning to shift reading gears based on the purpose for reading, readers gain fluency and are better able to meet their needs.

How can you help your child with this strategy at home?
  1. Remind your child that the low reading gears are slow and powerful and that the higher gears are speedy but are the least powerful. Our reading rate changes depending on the purpose for our reading and what we are reading.
    • 1st gear – slowest and most powerful, used to memorize material
    • 2nd gear – used to learn material
    • 3rd gear – used in most of our reading
    • 4th gear – our quickest speed, for skimming and scanning
  2. Help your child to be aware of their own reading rate. Your child can learn to self monitor, when to speed up and when to slow down, when recorded and given time to reflect on what is heard during playback. This can help slow readers increase speed but will also help speed readers slow down and gain understanding.
  3. When working with your child, ask the following:
    • “What is your normal speed for reading one of your favorite books?”
    • “What rate might you use if you were reading your science text?”
    • “Will you change your rate during this reading?”
Thank you for your continued support at home!

—Mrs. Boushey

© TeachDaily.com