Reading Fluency
Reading fluency encompasses the speed of reading as well as the ability to read with expression. Our goal in teaching second graders to read with fluency is that they read with speed and accuracy, but also with prosody. While these are the specific skills that a fluent reader possesses, our ultimate goal in reading is to gain meaning from what we read.
Once young children have a firm grasp on phonemic awareness and phonics concepts, fluency becomes the next very important step in reading instruction. Becoming a fluent reader is only accomplished through practice. Repeated readings, choral readings, echo reading, and partner reading are all ways in which students can practice fluency.
Giving every student the time and attention necessary to practice reading fluency in the classroom is difficult. Young students must be monitored to make sure they are practicing in the correct manner.
Incorporating a fluency program into the classroom using laptops, headphones, and microphones will greatly enhance the quality of the practice that students are getting. The laptops will allow students to access the many online fluency activities that are extremely varied in style and also highly engaging for young students. Using programs like Audacity or Garage Band, students can also record themselves reading and will be able to evaluate their own fluency. Assessing fluency would also become a more efficient process with students’ reading being recorded for closer review by the teacher.
Once young children have a firm grasp on phonemic awareness and phonics concepts, fluency becomes the next very important step in reading instruction. Becoming a fluent reader is only accomplished through practice. Repeated readings, choral readings, echo reading, and partner reading are all ways in which students can practice fluency.
Giving every student the time and attention necessary to practice reading fluency in the classroom is difficult. Young students must be monitored to make sure they are practicing in the correct manner.
Incorporating a fluency program into the classroom using laptops, headphones, and microphones will greatly enhance the quality of the practice that students are getting. The laptops will allow students to access the many online fluency activities that are extremely varied in style and also highly engaging for young students. Using programs like Audacity or Garage Band, students can also record themselves reading and will be able to evaluate their own fluency. Assessing fluency would also become a more efficient process with students’ reading being recorded for closer review by the teacher.