Reading Guidelines

Reading Guidelines 



When reading orally, I generally listen for the following characteristics to be present when a student reads:

1) Smoothness: reading by good phrasing rather than reading word by word; there should be no pauses unless called for by punctuation or context

2) Alertness to punctuation: stopping at periods, pausing at commas, and raising voice at question marks

3) Volume: reading loudly enough to be heard clearly at the back of the room; holding the book correctly and keeping the head up help the volume to improve

4) Enunciation: saying the words clearly, not mumbling; some will need to slow down in order to accomplish this

5) Speed: reading at a speed that enables the reader to be accurate, smooth, and expressive

6) Accuracy: pronouncing words and reading sentences correctly

7) Poise: having confidence in reading and speaking before others

8) Expression: having good voice inflection to make the story interesting and realistic

Grade Range

A or A- students who read smoothly with proper expression and need very little help

B+ or B students who have good expression but need to sound out words occasionally, or who have to reread from time to time to get good expression

B- or C+ students who need to work on expression, but who know the words or can sound them out quickly

C or C- students who are having difficulty with words and expression

D+ or D students who are struggling and must sound out nearly every word and reread several times before new reading is smooth