What is fluency? The way an oral reading sounds, including phrasing, intonation, pausing, stress, rate, and integration of the first five factors. (Fountas & Pinnell, 2008)
A fluent reader can: *Decode automatically and accurately *Read with appropriate pace and expression
Why is fluency important? Fluency impacts comprehension. When students are fluent readers, they are better able to comprehend the text they are reading. (Fountas & Pinnell, 2008)
How can I support fluency for ALL my students? See "Ways to Improve Fluency" Tab for specific strategies to help students. How can I support fluency for my diverse learners (ESOL, SPED, and economically disadvantaged?) *Give students opportunities to use oral language This will give students a chance to practice speaking fluently and interact with others to hear fluent speakers. Students can use partner work, turn and talk, sociodramatic play, etc. This helps to meet students in their zone of proximal development, which supports oral language, and in turn fluent reading. (Stone and Christie, 1996)
*Have LOTS of books available to students! Students from low SES homes often have less access to books. By having a large class library and helping students to have lots of access to books, they have more opportunities to become better, more fluent, readers! (Duke, 2000)
*Don't Be Deceived ELLs may read quickly and accurately, but not comprehend what they are reading. Be sure to take into account comprehension (Allington and Gabriel, 2012)