Reading in Mrs. Wiggs’ Classroom
Below you will find some components that work together to help reading take place. I wanted to give you a brief introduction of what these are so you will know what I mean when I refer to these terms throughout the year. There are many other factors that are integrated into reading, but these terms are used most often.
Phonemic Awareness - Phonemic awareness is having an understanding of the sounds that help create words. This component is being able to listen and manipulate sounds orally, not by looking at print. Most students master this area in kindergarten and first grade.
Phonics- This component is being able to look at a letter and tell what sound it makes. In order to phonetically sound out a word, a letter is put down for each sound that is heard in the word.
Fluency - Fluency consists of the rate, accuracy, and expression in which one reads with and can understand what he/she read. We will do many things with fluency this year because I believe that it is the key to understanding what is being read.
Vocabulary - word knowledge – understanding words and what they mean.
Comprehension - This component is the ability to understand and apply what is read
Reading Fluency – Speed/Rate/Accuracy
Words Per Minute - wpm
The national norm goal for 3rd 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 or a magazine etc. I have attached a page where you can keep track of the words per minute throughout the year if you would like. Have fun!