• Tips for Fluency Practice At Home

        

     

    What is Fluency:

    Fluency is defined as the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression. In order to understand what they read, children must be able to read fluently whether they are reading aloud or silently. When reading aloud, fluent readers read in phrases and add intonation appropriately. Their reading is smooth and has expression.

    When fluency breaks down, your child’s comprehension may break down as well. As you model fluent reading, they will gain a better understanding of the story. They will also become aware of your intonation, your pronunciation of words, and the overall flow of the story, which will improve their reading performance.

     

     

    What can you do to help build fluency:

    1. Choose the right books:

    Help your child choose books that he can comfortably read. The "five-finger test" is a useful guideline for beginning readers. As your child reads, count the number of words he cannot read per page. In general, there should be five words or fewer that give him trouble on each page. If a book contains several pages on which you count more than five words that he can't read, consider reading that book to your child until he develops more reading skill.

    2. Repeated readings: 

     Read the same short story 3-5 times. Have your child read the story aloud to you once a night for 3-5 nights. Listen for improvements from the first read to the fifth read. Listen for problem words, expression, attention to punctuation, appropriate phrasing and pausing at commas. Explain to your child that reading the same short story a few times will build fluency.

    3. Partner reading: 

    Taking turns reading the text, however you see fit. (Every other page, every other paragraph, etc.) ***Make sure your child follows along with you as you read. Do not allow them to get distracted from the text or daydream as you read.

    4. Choral reading:

    Reading the text together simultaneously. This is another strategy that can be intertwined with others. You do not have to read the entire text this way. This activity is a lot of fun with poetry.