Definition:  the ability to read text accurately and quickly

Remember how much fun it was the first time you realized you could read something so that the words rolled off your tongue?  If you were lucky enough to be able to decode quickly or had such a large sight word vocabulary that the words were automatic, you could then focus your energies on "reading with expression."  The new reading slang for that is "prosody" - the melody that comes from saying words in a lovely string of sounds. 

It is logical that if you decode quickly and/or can automatically recognize words without effort, you will be able to focus more on meaning and the talent of quality oral reading.  Research backs this up.  Many children happen upon fluency quite naturally - the old "practice makes perfect" notion.  There are, however, strategies we can employ in the classroom that can accelerate, accentuate, and advance the development of fluency.  The GOOD new is, it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to mess this up or make it painful for children! 

Below are 9 websites that contain information about Fluency.  Work with your group or a partner to do the following:

1)  MATERIALS MANAGER should print one graphic organizer for the group and one handout for each person in the group.  These forms will be used to synthesize the following articles.

2)  READER should read the article aloud to the group - skimming and scanning is allowed to move quickly through the information. 

3)  ALL group members should take notes on the provided handout.

4)  SCRIBE should then compile ONE graphic organizer that represents consensus from the group. 

5)  PRESENTER will share the graphic organizer with the whole group as a comprehensive representation of the readings is compiled. 

Readings/Research on Fluency

GROUP 1:  Fluency:  http://teacher.scholastic.com/reading/bestpractices/fluency/pdfs/WhatIsFluency.pdf

GROUP 2:  Ways to use Repeated Readings to Improve Fluency:  http://www.donjohnston.com/djlearning/repeatedreading.htm 

GROUP 3:  Developing and Assessing Fluency:  http://www.itrc.ucf.edu/forpd/strategies/stratfluency.html

 GROUP 4:  Critical Components of Reading:  Fluency:  http://www.texasreading.org/3tier/components/fluency_activities.asp

GROUP 5:  Repeated Readings:  http://www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/publications/reading_first1fluency.html

GROUP 6:  A Plan to Attack Fluency Problems:  http://education.umn.edu/CAREI/Reports/Rpractice/Winter95/fluency.htm

GROUP 7:  Fluency: http://www.ncrel.org/rf/sbrr/fluency.htm

GROUP 8:  Fluency Formula:  http://teacher.scholastic.com/reading/bestpractices/fluency/pdfs/WhatIsFluency.pdf

 GROUP 9: 

Related Readings and Resources:

06/01/2005 10:37:04 PM -0500