Running Records

Running Records

Running records is an effective evaluation tool for providing insight into a child's use of reading strategies. It requires no prior preparation of materials, special recording sheets or previous training on your part. You use a type of shorthand to record the strategies a child employs while dealing with a text. You can use a running record with any book the child is reading. Below is a sample shorthand chart that you can use or you can develop your own based on your preferences. (Baskwill & Whitman, 1997, 36-37)

Running Record Shorthand
Accurately reads	ü
Substitutions	Child's word Actual word in text
Repetition	R
Return and Repetition	ß -----] ü ü ü R
Self-Correction	SC
Omission	_______._______ actual word in text
Insertion	Child's inserted word .
Pause (or delay in response)	/(# of seconds)
Child asks for help	___________\|_? Word in text \|
Child waits for help	___________\| W (child looks at teacher Word in text \| expecting help)
Teacher tells child word	___________\|___ Word in text \| T