What is the expected reading speed for a 1st grader?

The expected reading speed for a 1st grader typically falls within the range of 50-70 words per minute. This rate reflects the developmental stage of first graders, who are generally in the process of acquiring foundational reading skills. At this age, students are learning to recognize sight words, decode phonetic patterns, and gain fluency with simple texts. The reading speed of 50-70 words per minute indicates that students at this level can read familiar texts with some comprehension, although they may still struggle with fluency and expression.

As children progress in their reading abilities, their speed is expected to increase with practice and experience. The other ranges provided are generally higher than what is typical for the first grade, as more advanced readers, such as those in later grades, would be expected to read at these higher speeds.