The Six Minute Solution

For Intermediate Grades 3-6

 The Six Minute Solution
 Based on the repeated
reading and peer assisted
learning research
 Process only takes 6 minutes of
instruction time once students
are trained in process
Partners read a passage to
each other
Students get peer feedback
Times are recorded
Reading Fluency

Why should we
focus on helping
our students
increase reading
fluency?
Reading Fluency

 The 5 key instructional

components of reading
are:
Phonemic Awareness
Phonics
Fluency
Vocabulary
Comprehension
Strategies
The Process

 Students are paired by

ability
 Each pair of students has
a portfolio with the
required supplies inside
 Students are paired, find
a spot in the room, and
the process begins
 Time Materials Procedures
The Process 1-Minute • 2 copies of the same • Teacher calls group
level of passages in saying it’s time for
plastic sheet fluency practice
protectors • Partners record the
• 1 marking pan and date on their individual
eraser in a plastic bag record sheets
• 2 student record • Partner “1” reads first
sheets • Partner “2” marks
• Timer for the process errors and stopping
point on plastic sheet
with pen

1-Minute • Teacher sets timer and

readies students.
• When teacher says go,
timer is started and
partner “1” reads while
partner “2” records
errors.
• When time is called (1
minute) partner “2”
marks stopping point
and counts errors on
The Process
1-Minute • Partner “2” tells partner how many errors
they had and makes corrections
• Partner “1” records the number of
correctly read words on their record sheet
• Partner “2” erases their sheet and gives
the marker to partner “1”

1-Minute • Teacher resets the timer and the process is

repeated with partner “2” reading and
partner “1” marking

1-Minute • Partner “1” tells partner how many errors

they had and makes corrections
• Partner “2” records the number of
correctly read words on their record sheet
• Partner “1” erases their sheet and
replaces the marker to the plastic bag.
The process

The final minute is for the students

to collect their material and
replace it in their portfolio.
 Steps to Start the Process

 Assess Students (F&P) 1-2 Days at Beginning and

Mid Year
 Rank Students / Select Partners 1 Hour
 Introduce Fluency Concept 20-30 Minutes
 Establish Partnership Behaviors 10 Minutes
 Train Students in Process 20-30 Minutes
 Train Students in Material Management 10-15 Minutes
Questions???