Five Finger Reading
Many students struggle to find appropriate reading-level books. Second and third grade students can find it especially difficult to select books that are appropriate for the individual reader. We teach a number of skills to help students choose books, but one of the easiest methods is the Five Finger Method.
1 - Pick out a book.
2 - Open the book to a random page in the middle of the book.
3 - Hold out a hand with all five fingers extended.
4 - Start reading down the page. For every word you don't know or can't read, close a finger.
If you finish the page with only 1 or 2 fingers down, the book is probably the right reading level. If you put down 3 fingers, the book is going to be challenging. If 4 or 5 fingers are down, the book is likely too difficult.
It's a simple, quick method for helping students pick out their book.