READING
FLUENCY
E-mail:
Carrie Sluder
Rationale:
To
become successful readers, children must learn to read
fluently.Ê Characteristics of this factor
are the ability to read fast smooth and with expression.Ê
In order to become fluent readers children
must practice reading, re-reading then reading some more.Ê
Mastering the ability to become fluent
readers will increase their comprehension which is ultimately the goal
of
reading.
Materials:
Chalkboard
ChalkÊ
The
Tortoise and the Hare
(from
http://www.ongoing-tales.com/SERIALS/oldtime/FAIRYTALES/tortoisehare.html)
Teacherâs
fluency checklist
Student
fluency checklist:
Procedures:
äFluent
reading means being able to read quickly, smoothly and
with expression. Can someone tell me what each of these mean?Ê Great explanations.Ê (Review
what each term means so that every
student understands each concept.äÊ An
example of reading fluently would be reading a passage about someone
who is
frightened.Ê You would want to read
quickly and smoothly enough that your audience understands what you are
reading
while at the same time you want to be expressive and show that the
characters
are frightened.Ê
Write
the sentence ÎThe hare
won the race!â on the board.Ê Read
the sentence very slowly to the children.Ê
Chop up some of the words so it is hard to understand.Ê ÎT he hhhaaaarrreÊ wwwÊ
onÊ thhhhÊ eÊ rrrraaaa
ceeee!äÊ Ask the
class if this sounded like fun to
listen to.Ê Read the sentence again, this
time fluently and with expression.Ê Take
a vote by a show of hands to allow students to pick which they think
sounded
better.
Write
the sentence ÎWhat a dull heavy creature!â said the
hare.Ê Read it once using expression and
fluency.Ê Then read it together as a
class as you guide them through the words.Ê
Divide the class into pairs.Ê Have
each student read the sentence to their partner at least three times a
piece.Ê Tell them ãeach time you read to
your partner you should become more fluent.Ê
Remember that means it should be a little bit quicker, a little
smoother,
and full of the expression just as if you were the hare.ä
Read
them the tortoise and the hare.Ê Include a book
talk to gather interest.Ê You could start off by
reinforcing the need
to be fluent readers and how quick is good but tell them in this story
being
slow is better for some things.Ê Read the
passage out loud while having them follow along with their own copy.Ê Dramatize the key elements of fluency while
reading the passage.Ê Have them pay close
attention to your expression while you are reading.Ê By
telling them ãI would like you to pay
close attention to my fluency and how I am reading quickly, smoothly,
and with
expression because in a minute you are going to have to read this story
for a
partner.
Divide
them into partners usually by reading homogeneous reading
levels and have them read the passage to each other three times per
person.Ê While they are listening to
their partner read have them fill out a fluency check sheet on that person.Ê
Have
them select a text that is on their level (They should
already know how to select appropriate books) and ask
them to practice that book at least three times a piece, each time they
should
try to increase their fluency skills.
Call
on each child to bring their book to your desk.Ê Have
them pick a selection to read for you to
check their speed, smoothness, and expression. You can use the rubric
that has
been provided.
References:
The
Tortoise and the Hare
from Antelope
Publishing.
Quick
as a Mouse.