Decodable Running Record Form

Download this FREE Decodable Running Record Form to use with your learners to assess their reading abilities.

*Download the free form by clicking on the teal download button towards the END of this post.
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FREE Decodable Running Record Form

While many schools are moving towards assessing kids on computers or iPads, I still enjoy good old fashion observation. To me, there’s nothing that can replace sitting down with a learner and listening to them read.

When I was deep into balanced literacy, the Running Record was all the rage. I can’t even count how many I did.

And while there are some things about balanced literacy that were designed {even intentionally ~ I dare you to read Why Johnny Can’t Read or The Victims of Dick and Jane} to cripple our young readers, there are other parts that I think we can still use if we adjust them a bit.

The Running Record is one of those things. That’s why I’m sharing the adapted version with a FREE Decodable Running Record Form.

This is very similar to the Running Record form I created and shared back in 2017, but it’s been updated specifically for decodable readers. One notable difference is the “MSV” has been removed, which was a part of the three-cueing system from balanced literacy.

On the page, you’ll find a place for each page (up to 12 pages of text on the lined page) and a spot to mark errors (E) or self-corrections (SC).

At the bottom, you’ll total up the number of errors and self-corrections as well as find an accuracy percentage following the formula. A place is provided for you to rate your reader’s expression, phrasing, and pace, all factoring into fluency. 4 would be the best, while 1 means the reader needs work in that area.

Lastly, a spot has been provided for you to make observations and notes about your reader. For example, is the reader consistently leaving endings off words {run for running}? Is the reader ignoring the punctuation? Is the reader misreading a certain high frequency word? Is the reader correcting his/her errors, also known as self-correcting {SC}. Jot those notes down in this section.

*Update: At the request of a reader, a place at the top has been added for you to write the “Target Phonics Skill” beside the title.

I hope this decodable running record form will be helpful for you and your readers. One thing that’s NOT included on the form are questions to assess comprehension, so you’ll need to either make your own based on the specific text.

If you struggle with questions you should ask, I encourage you to read my post, Comprehension Questions: Moving Beyond Right There Questions.

Download the running record form below:

Enjoy teaching!
~Becky

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