Prosody Training Jessica Rauth

Training Objectives This training is designed to facilitate understanding of reading prosody and how to effectively measure prosody. The training will address the following objectives: - Learners will acknowledge prosody as a component of reading fluency. - Learners will define prosody and its features. - Learners will effectively assess student readings using a given prosody rubric.

Reading Fluency Fluency is recognized as an essential component of skilled reading. (National Reading Panel, 2000) Fluency’s significance in reading instruction has not been acknowledged until recently, and deserves further investigation. (Allington, 1983; Ness, 2009) Fluency is defined as the ability to read at a reasonable rate (speed), accuracy, and proper expression (prosody). Prosody as an inseparable component of reading fluency.

Common Core State Standards: Fluency

Common Core State Standards: Fluency

Washington State Reading Fluency GLE’s GLE 1.4.2: Apply fluency to enhance comprehension. Grade 1:  Read aloud familiar grade-level text with accuracy in a manner that sounds like natural speech.  Read aloud unpracticed grade-level text with fluency in a range of 50–65+ words correct per minute. Grade 2:  Read grade-level text aloud fluently with expression.  Read aloud unpracticed grade-level text with fluency in a range of 90–100+ words correct per minute. Grade 3:  Read aloud familiar grade-level informational/expository text and literary/narrative text accurately, using appropriate pacing, phrasing, and expression.  Read aloud unpracticed grade-level text with fluency in a range of 110–120+ words correct per minute. Grade 4:  Read aloud grade-level literary/narrative text and informational/expository text accurately, using appropriate pacing, phrasing, and expression.  Read aloud unpracticed grade-level text with fluency in a range of 115–125+ words correct per minute. Grade 5:  Read aloud grade-level informational/ expository text and literary/narrative text accurately, using appropriate pacing, phrasing, and expression.  Read aloud unpracticed grade-level text with fluency in a range of 125–135+ words correct per minute. Grade 6:  Read aloud grade-level informational/ expository text and literary/narrative text accurately, using appropriate pacing, phrasing, and expression.  Read aloud unpracticed grade-level text with fluency in a range of 145–155+ words correct per minute. Grade 7:  Read aloud grade-level literary/narrative text and informational/expository text accurately, using appropriate pacing, phrasing, and expression.  Read aloud unpracticed grade-level text with fluency in a range of 145–155+ words correct per minute. Grade 8:  Read grade-level literary/narrative text and informational/expository text orally with accuracy, using appropriate pacing, phrasing, and expression.  Read aloud unpracticed grade-level text with fluency in a range of 145–155+ words correct per minute.

Reading Prosody Many definitions of prosody include both reading with appropriate expression and phrasing (National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 2002; National Reading Panel, 2000; Zutell & Rasinski, 2001; Pinnell et al., 1995; Dowhower, 1991). Zutell and Rasinski (2001) define proficient fluent oral reading as… “(a) the reading appears fairly effortless or automatic, (b) readers group or “chunk” words into meaningful phrases and clauses, and (c) readers use pitch, stress, and intonation appropriately to convey the meanings and feelings they believe the author intended.” (p. 212). Some also acknowledge prosody’s musical, rhythmic, or dramatic element. (Allington, 1983; Erekson, 2010).

Prosody Features Smoothness: Phrasing, chunking Punctuation: Pauses, changes in inflection, intonation, and voice/characterization where punctuation indicates Vocal Emphasis: Stress, loudness Inflection: Pitch, how high or low the reader’s voice is Intonation: Tone, rhythm Voice: Style Characterization: Character differentiation

Automaticity vs. Fluency Many educators include only rate and accuracy in their definition, instruction, and assessment of reading fluency. Rate and accuracy are together labeled automaticity, not fluency. Reading fluency is defined as the ability to read at a reasonable rate (speed), accuracy, and proper expression (prosody).

Current Measures of Reading Fluency Reliable and valid measures of oral reading fluency (rate and accuracy) are widely used and used effectively Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) Curriculum Based Measures (CBM) Gray Oral Reading Test (GORT) What is not as well documented is the use of reliable measures when determining the rate of growth in prosody skills.

WOW Prosody Rubric 4/19/12, adapted from Waldron-Soler, Crews, Haskins 10/7/10

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WOW Prosody Rubric 4/19/12, adapted from Waldron-Soler, Crews, Haskins 10/7/10

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WOW Prosody Rubric 4/19/12, adapted from Waldron-Soler, Crews, Haskins 10/7/10

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WOW Prosody Rubric 4/19/12, adapted from Waldron-Soler, Crews, Haskins 10/7/10

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WOW Prosody Rubric 4/19/12, adapted from Waldron-Soler, Crews, Haskins 10/7/10

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WOW Prosody Rubric 4/19/12, adapted from Waldron-Soler, Crews, Haskins 10/7/10