Reading Fluency Speed/Rate/Accuracy Words Per Minute - wpm
The national norm goal for 3rd /4th graders across America is to be able to read 120 words per minute by the end of the school year. That means they should be able to pick up new material at their reading level and read the first 120 words correctly in one minute. The goal throughout this year should progress as follows: Fall target - 90 words per minute, Winter target 105 words per minute, Spring target - 120 words per minute. This goal is something that you can practice at home with your child. While using a timer, clock, or stopwatch, time your child for one minute while they read a page of their AR book, a magazine, a comic book, or other engaging reading material. Have fun!
According to A Dictionary of Reading and Related Term, fluency is the ability to read smoothly, easily, and readily with freedom from word-recognition problems. Fluency is necessary for good comprehension and enjoyable reading. A lack of fluency is characterized by a slow, halting pace, frequent mistakes, poor phrasing, and inadequate intonation. The average child needs between 4 and 14 exposures to a new word to recognize it automatically. However, this number can even be higher for students with reading difficulties. Thus, it is critical for students to get practice reading text to develop their fluency!