The 5- Finger Test

(This is a general rule of thumb to selecting a book that is appropriate for your reading level.)

o Open the book to its first full page of the story.

o The words should start at the top of the page without any breaks, that is no pictures or illustrations are on the page.

o The print size should be same as the rest of the book.

o Now, start to the read page from the top to the bottom.

o Read every word.

o Anytime that you come across a word that you cannot read or do not know the meaning of, hold up a finger on your right hand.

o Continue reading until you come to the end of the page.

o If by the time you have finished the page you have all five fingers up on your right hand this book is probably not for you. You should probably look for a book that would be a little easier to read.

Any book is more enjoyable when you can read it without struggling to read it.

Another way to try this is with your mom, dad, or with a teacher.

If you have come to the end of the page with three or four fingers up, you may want to try the 5-finger test on the next page of your book.

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