60 Word Stories | 1.5.2 | CVC | Tess and the Gang

The fourth set in the 60 Word Stories Fluency Program, 'Tess and the Gang' is a set of six fully decodable stories that includes basic CVC code plus doubles (ff, ll, ss, zz, ck) and digraphs (sh, ch, th, wh, ng). This story is a perfect way to review all beginner code and build reading fluency. A Score Sheet and Fluency Chart is also included.

60 Word Stories are designed to build text-level reading fluency once single-word accuracy and fluency has been established. Each story includes exactly 60 words, to simplify scoring and fluency tracking - 60 words in 60 seconds is a great benchmark to aim for.

The stories are linked like a chapter book, and include highs and lows, to provide the reader with that additional motivation to read on the next day. Join Tess and Bud as they track bad Tazz and the stolen cash! 

By limiting the graphics, the child can focus on applying their decoding strategies to the text rather than 'taking a guess' based on the picture. The cartoon images have been carefully selected to be age-appropriate for older struggling readers - nothing deters reading like a 'book for babies'.   

Suitable for:

60 Word Stories are perfect for use within the classroom or learning support division with children requiring additional practice with beginner code.

They are also ideal for use at home with beginner or struggling readers.

Please Note: 'Tess and the Gang' is included in Read3 Module 1 Step 5 as part of the fluency component. It is recommended that struggling readers use the full Read3 program to strengthen phonological awareness and phonics skills, not just reading fluency, for accelerated gains.   

Research shows repeated reading of decodable text builds fluency.

If you ask a child to repeatedly read non-decodable text you are effectively testing their memory.

But when a child repeatedly reads decodable text, that only includes spelling patterns they know. you are testing their fluency.

The first step is to be accurate when decoding. The next step is to increase the speed of recall and move towards fluency. For children with processing difficulties building fluency is particularly difficult and providing impetus to push past single-word reading is why the 60 Word Stories collection was created.

Repeating a reading 3 times in one day starts to build fluency. Timing and charting the speed helps motivate the child to improve their performance on each reading.  

What you will receive:

This is a digital product. Upon ordering you will be able to instantly download:

• 6 fully decodable 'chapter' stories
• score sheet for recording reading times
• fluency chart to track daily progress
• detailed instructions and fluency targets

You are authorised to print unlimited copies for personal use, or professional use across an educational institution, learning support division or tutoring service. You are not authorised to share the digital file.