Fluency

What is fluency? Fluency is the ability to read a text accurately, quickly, and with expression. When fluent readers read silently, they recognize words automatically. They group words quickly to help them gain meaning from what they read. Fluent readers read aloud effortlessly and with expression — their reading sounds natural, as if they are speaking, an aspect of fluency that is termed prosody. Readers who have not yet developed fluency read slowly, word by word. Their oral reading is choppy and lacks prosody.

Why is fluency important? Fluent reading is a foundation for good reading comprehension. Because fluent readers do not have to concentrate on decoding words, they can focus their attention on what the text means. They can make connections between the ideas in the text and their background knowledge. Reading fluency also affects a child's motivation to read. When children’s reading is not fluent, they often don’t enjoy reading, and they are less inclined to practice reading, which may contribute even further to a decline in their reading skills. Fluent reading is a product of strong decoding and strong language comprehension. Less fluent readers, however, must focus their attention on figuring out the words, leaving them little attention for understanding the text.

How can I help my child at home?

  • Help your child choose books to read.

  • Listen to your child read every day.

  • Give lots of praise and encouragement.

  • Reread favorite books.

  • Set aside time to read together every day.

  • Try "buddy reading" with your child.

  • Read to your child every day and model fluent reading.

  • Let your child see you reading for pleasure.

  • Let your child create their own "audio books" using a recording feature on your phone.

  • Help your child master sight words.

  • Practice, practice, practice!

For more tips and suggestions, visit

Does your child need to improve their accuracy and speed of recognizing sight words?

Microsoft Word - FryFirst100.doc.pdf
Microsoft Word - FrySecond100.doc.pdf
Microsoft Word - FryThird100.doc.pdf
Ways to Practice Sight Words at Home.pdf
Ways to Practice Sight Words.pdf

Fluency Passage Homework Directions

You will need:

  • 3 different colored pens

  • a timer (set for 1 minute)

  • fluency passage homework

  • a sheet of paper for notes

Directions:

  1. Sit next to your child so that you can see the passage as they read.

  2. Set a timer for 1 minute.

  3. Start the timer when your child reads the 1st word.

  4. As your child reads, write down any words that were changed, skipped, or misread. These count as errors. (It will be less discouraging & distracting for your child if you take notes on a separate sheet of paper versus writing on the paper they are reading from as they are reading. Each mark on the paper may cause them to get frustrated and may hinder them from completing the passage. Add the marks on the paper after they have finished reading the passage and the timer has stopped.)

Please do not assist your child with any of the words while they are reading for fluency. They must read this independently.

  1. When the timer goes off, make a mark in the passage next to the last word that was read. This tells you where they stopped.

  2. Transfer your notes of the errors made to your child's fluency passage.

  3. Count the total number of words that were read during the 1 minute. Write this number off to the side.

  4. Now, count the number of errors and write this number in the Errors box.

  5. Subtract the number of errors from the total number of words read (the number you wrote off to the side in step #7). Write this number in the WRR (Words Read Right) box.

  6. Provide your child with praise and encouragement!

  7. Repeat steps 1-8 on the 2nd day using a different colored pen. Mark the results in the 2nd column. Repeat steps 9-10.

  8. Repeat steps 1-8 on the 3rd day using a different colored pen. Mark the results in the 3rd column. Repeat steps 9-10.

Each day, your child's WRR should increase.

2nd Grade Fluency Scale

1st Nine Weeks

  • 51 wcpm or above = A

  • 41-50 wcpm = B

  • 31-40 wcpm = C

  • 21-30 wcpm = D

  • 20 wcpm or below = F

2nd Nine Weeks

  • 72 wcpm or above = A

  • 60-71 wcpm = B

  • 50-60 wcpm = C

  • 30-49 wcpm = D

  • 29 wcpm or below = F

3rd Nine Weeks

  • 89 wcpm or above = A

  • 78-88 wcpm = B

  • 67-77 wcpm = C

  • 55-66 wcpm = D

  • 54 wcpm or below = F

4th Nine Weeks

  • 100 wcpm or above = A

  • 89-99 wcpm = B

  • 78-88 wcpm = C

  • 67-77 wcpm = D

  • 66 wcpm or below = F