This refers to the ability to quickly retrieve information from long term memory. When reading, it is used to bring up sight words, or when decoding, to be able to remember the sounds that various letter combination create. A person who has good RAN has a much better chance of becoming a fluent reader.

The following activities all contribute to improving RAN. By using a variety of activities, rather than just one, you can maintain student interest and cooperation. The activity should be challenging without being too difficult or too easy. Use the student's interests to also make it fun!

Activity 1: How many can you name?

Materials: none required

Directions: Choose a category or have the student choose one. It should have many items within the category. In one minute, have the student name as many items in the category as possible. Examples of categories are: cities, boys names, items found in a grocery store, books, etc.

Activity 2: Name the picture

Materials: Use the worksheet on the next page and a metronome

Directions: Set metronome to 60 beats per minute. Have the student say the name of the picture each beat, or every other beat if necessary. Do daily until the student can say one picture per beat and complete the entire page.

Activity 3: Name the sound

Materials: Us the sound worksheet, found in two pages and a metronome

Directions: Set metronome to 60 beats per minute. Have the student say the sound of the letter each beat, or every other beat if necessary. Do one line at a time, and drill daily until the student can say one sound per beat and complete the entire page.

Note: The vowels are to be short vowel sounds. Use the sounds in an, Ed, in, on, and up.

Growing Brains Everyday Curriculum

Say it Fast! 

CAT              DOG             RAT               BIRD             COW

GOAT            BULL           HEN             SHEEP          CHICK

SUN             MOON         CLOUD            RAIN             HOT

COLD            WIND          DARK             LIGHT

Growing Brains Everyday Curriculum

Say It Fast! 

a      b      c      g

d      e      f       h

a      c      d      f       a      c      d      f

e      b      h      g      e      b      h      g

a      e      a      e      a      e

e      a      e      a      e      a

b      d      b      d      b      d

d      b      d      b      d      b

e      b      a      d      g      h      f      c

a      g      f       e      b      h     c      d

f       c      e      g      a      b     d      h

b      e      f       h      a      c     f       e      g      d      b      a