Glossary · Fluency and assessment
What is repeated reading?
Definition
Repeated reading is having a student read the same short passage several times, often three or four, to build speed, accuracy and expression.
The passage stays the same so the student can focus on reading it better each time, not on new words. Gains in fluency carry over to new passages, especially when the passages share words and patterns.
A typical routine: the teacher models the passage, the student reads it, the teacher gives feedback on one or two errors, and the student reads again. Timing each read and graphing the result motivates many students, since they see the line go up.
Pick passages at about 95 percent accuracy or higher, and keep them short, 100 to 200 words. Repeated reading of text that's too hard just repeats the errors.
In a lesson
On Monday a student reads a 120-word passage at 54 words correct per minute. By the third read on Wednesday it's 81. The next new passage starts at 63, higher than the last one did.
Why does this matter for the record?
Graph first-read scores on new passages, as well as the repeated ones. That's where real transfer shows.
Rate each skill as you teach it
Needs support, Developing, Secure. The rating schedules the review and builds the report.