Fluency

Why is Fluency Important?

y Fluent readers are often better at comprehension o Dysfluent readers can only focus on one thing at a time: decoding words or comprehending the text Fluent readers tend to enjoy reading more and therefore read more often y

What is fluency?
Typically defined as consisting of three elements o Accurate reading of a text o Correct rate of reading (conversational) o Correct prosody or expression Fluency should not be considered simply reading as fast as possible In order to be fluent a reader must also have good word recognition skills as well as be aware of sight words

Why Should you Use Fluency Instruction?

y Fluency should be used in all reading exercises with students Fluency should be taught from a young age by modeled usage Fluency can be taught using centers during literacy time

A Guide to Fluency in School

Christa Jennings

How Can You Implement Fluency Instruction and Practice in the Classroom?
y Fluency can be taught and practiced in many ways o Repeated readings of the same passages  This is most effective when repeated readings are used for an authentic purpose y Readers theaters y Poetry readings y Radio broadcasts y Read alouds to classmates or others o Model fluent reading during read alouds o Use whisper phones so that students can hear themselves read o Read alongs  Tape books being read fluently but still slowly enough for struggling readers to keep up with  tudents should then read these books along with the tape y When practicing fluency readers should read books at their independent level (95% or higher) y Work with students to develop a kid-friendly definition of fluency o Read like you are talking  Not too fast or too slow  Use expression o Understand what you read

Resources
Cahill, M., & Gregory, A.E. (2011). Putting the Fun Back into Fluency Instruction. Reading Teacher, 65(2), 127-131. Doi 10.1002/TRTR. 01018

Hudson, R.F., Lane, H.B., & Pullen, P.C. (2005). Reading Fluency Assessment and Instruction: What, Why, and How?. Reading Teacher, 58(8), 702-714

Pikulsi, J.J., & Chard, D.J. (2005). Fluency: Bridge Between Decoding and Reading Comprehension. Reading Teacher 58(6) 510-519