Fluency

What is Fluency?

Fluency is the ability to read text accurately, quickly, and with proper expression. All three aspects of fluency (accuracy, speed, and expression) are equally important, and we practice all three of them in reading support. Speed is not the goal, reading easily and smoothly, as if you're talking is what good fluency sounds like.

Ways to Practice Fluency

Echo Reading.MOV

Echo Reading

During echo reading, an adult reads a sentence or phrase, modeling correct expression, then the child repeats, or echos, the text.

Choral Reading

During choral reading, the adult and child read the same passage at the same time. The adult sets the pace, which should be slow. The child matches the pacing, the phrasing, and the expression of the adult as you read together.

Choral Reading.MOV

Repeated Readings

During repeated readings, the child reads a short passage or poem aloud at least 3 times. The words should become easier to read, and the child should be able to put more emphasis on expression and phrasing. You can set a stopwatch to see if the child gets faster at reading the text.

Flash Cards

If your child is not yet ready to read a passage or sentence OR is working on decoding a new syllable type, you can use flash cards for fluency. Write the letters or words your child is working on on a set of notecards and time them on how fast they can read the words, say the sounds, or name the letters. Make it into a game to see if they can get faster with multiple practices. It is important to correct all mistakes in the moment. We do not want them practicing the wrong word/sound/name.

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