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WHAT IS FLUENCY?
Fluency is made up of three parts: accuracy, automaticity, and prosody (expression). When readers are fluent, their reading sounds like they are speaking. There aren't long pauses in their phrasing and they are able to use expression to change their inflection. Readers are also able to quickly recognize words and apply decoding strategies.
When readers improve their fluency, their comprehension can also improve! Readers are able to concentrate on what the words are saying, instead of focusing solely on decoding the words.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF FLUENCY?
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF FLUENCY?
Read smoothly, not too fast and not too slow.
Read like you would talk, not word by word.
Read with expression, having your voice go up and down at times.
Focus on the words so you understand the content.
Activities to Improve Fluency
1.) Students can improve their fluency by listening to fluent readers! By listening to fluent readers, students are able to experience correct phrasing, use of expression, and smooth decoding. This readings provide them with examples to model.
Ebooks & Audiobooks are available through the Libby App and your local library. Using your library card, you can explore a number of titles and listen to stories on a phone, ipad, or computer. The library also has titles on CD.
Ebooks & Audiobooks are available through the Libby App and your local library. Using your library card, you can explore a number of titles and listen to stories on a phone, ipad, or computer. The library also has titles on CD.
Children Book Read Alouds is a YouTube Channel with a number of read alouds of popular story books. Students can enjoy looking at the books' pictures while listening to the words being read. If your favorite book isn't there, you can search for it on youtube. There are lots of children and young adult books available.
Children Book Read Alouds is a YouTube Channel with a number of read alouds of popular story books. Students can enjoy looking at the books' pictures while listening to the words being read. If your favorite book isn't there, you can search for it on youtube. There are lots of children and young adult books available.
2.) Rereading is another way for students improve their fluency. When reading a passage or story, students are able to focus on decoding the unfamiliar words during the first read. On the subsequent reads, the words are more familiar, allowing the students to focus on phrasing and expression. By the third read, students have had the opportunity to practice all the areas of fluency and put them together.
2.) Rereading is another way for students improve their fluency. When reading a passage or story, students are able to focus on decoding the unfamiliar words during the first read. On the subsequent reads, the words are more familiar, allowing the students to focus on phrasing and expression. By the third read, students have had the opportunity to practice all the areas of fluency and put them together.
Start with a simple text. Texts that are easier, will have less challenging words to decode. As students are able to practice their use of expression and phrasing, raise the level of the text. Remind your child to focus on the words during the first read, then the phrasing and expression during the second read.
Start with a simple text. Texts that are easier, will have less challenging words to decode. As students are able to practice their use of expression and phrasing, raise the level of the text. Remind your child to focus on the words during the first read, then the phrasing and expression during the second read.
**Check out the Great Reads! page under the Reading tab for links to grade level passages!**
**Check out the Great Reads! page under the Reading tab for links to grade level passages!**
Reader's Theater is a great resource to practice fluency. With reader's theater, readers have to reread the text multiple times to learn their lines and understand the content in order to use appropriate expression. Readers are also playing roles and their lines are to sound like they are speaking.
Reader's Theater is a great resource to practice fluency. With reader's theater, readers have to reread the text multiple times to learn their lines and understand the content in order to use appropriate expression. Readers are also playing roles and their lines are to sound like they are speaking.
Here are a few links to websites that have a selection of scripts for elementary students:
Here are a few links to websites that have a selection of scripts for elementary students:
3.) Another powerful tool to improve fluency is to record your child(ren) reading and then listen to it. When students can hear themselves read, they are able to identify what they did well and what they can improve on. After practicing, they can then rerecord the story and compare the readings. Which did they prefer to listen to?
3.) Another powerful tool to improve fluency is to record your child(ren) reading and then listen to it. When students can hear themselves read, they are able to identify what they did well and what they can improve on. After practicing, they can then rerecord the story and compare the readings. Which did they prefer to listen to?
Here are some apps you can use to record readings:
Here are some apps you can use to record readings:
QuickTime Audio
QuickTime Audio
4.) Choral Reading can also be a powerful tool to help boost fluency. Choral reading, or reading together, allows readers to listen to fluent reading, while practicing it themselves. Choose a text with words they know, eliminating the need to stop and decode.
Nursery Rhymes, Songs, & Poems: These are great resources to help students improve their fluency. Even the youngest learners can practice their expression and phrasing through melodies. The rhythm and rhyme found in these tools can help students to memorize easier, allowing them to then focus on the tone, expression, speed, and phrasing. When children sing with others, they have models available to help them stay on pace as well!
Nursery Rhymes, Songs, & Poems: These are great resources to help students improve their fluency. Even the youngest learners can practice their expression and phrasing through melodies. The rhythm and rhyme found in these tools can help students to memorize easier, allowing them to then focus on the tone, expression, speed, and phrasing. When children sing with others, they have models available to help them stay on pace as well!
5.) Phrase Reading can be used to improve fluency. When strong readers read, they read in phrases, not word by word. In order to practice this skill, short phrases can be read to get the hang of grouping several words together in a string. By only have a few words in a line, readers aren't overwhelmed with paragraphs or even sentences, but can focus their attention on the handful of words and practice reading them through in one smooth phrase. Repetition will strengthen this skill and improve speed, eliminate the need for decoding, and aid in understanding of content.
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