Fluency Instruction Betsy Peterson St. Andrew’s Episcopal School

What is Fluency?  “The ability to read a text accurately and quickly ” (National Institute for Literacy)  “Level of reading ease and ability; a fluent reader is able to read on-or above-level books independently with high comprehension and accuracy” (Morrow, 2012)

What do Fluent Readers Do?  Read aloud effortlessly  Read with expression  Reading sounds natural  Recognize words automatically  Recognize words and comprehend simultaneously

Why is Fluency Important?  Provides a bridge between word recognition and comprehension  Comprehension is fueled by fluency Word Recognition Comprehension

Instructional Ideas  Word Webs   Word Families   Repeated Reading  Read passages aloud multiple times (4 times)  Receive teacher feedback  Independent Silent Reading

Instructional Ideas (cont.)  Oral Reading Practice  Audiotapes  Tutors  Peer Guidance  Model Fluent Reading  Student-Adult Reading  Choral Reading

Instructional Ideas (cont.)  Tape-assisted Reading  Partner Reading  Readers’ Theater

Assessing Fluency  Fluency Rubric for Students   Informal Observation  Timed Reading Samples  Reading rate=faster than 90 WPM  Fluency Growth  Graphs  Informal Reading Inventories  Miscue Analysis  Running Records

Closing  Fluency is often overlooked  Remember, fluency=bridge between word recognition and comprehension  Dedicate time to fluency instruction!  For independent reading, allow student to read text on independent level  READING SHOULD SOUND LIKE TALKING  Check out this site for more info:  ading101/fluency ading101/fluency ading101/fluency

References  Morrow, L. M. (2012). Literacy development in the early years: Helping children read and write. (7th ed.). Boston: Pearson.  National Institute for Literacy. Put reading first: The research building blocks for teaching children to read. (3rd ed.). Retrieved from klet.pdf klet.pdf klet.pdf  Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Fluency. Retrieved from ading101/fluency