Overview of Fluency in Literacy Instruction

Introduction

Fluency is a critical component of literacy instruction, important for reading development.
It's interconnected with other areas of reading development.
This lecture discusses the importance of fluency, its elements, and how to support it.

Fluency bridges word recognition and comprehension.
Allows readers to make meaning "on the run."
Fluent readers can read words accurately, automatically, at an appropriate rate, and with good expression.

Accuracy
- Ability to read words as written automatically and effortlessly.
Rate
- Speed of reading text; appropriate speed depends on the nature of the text.
Phrasing
- Grouping words in meaningful chunks, with appropriate pauses.
- Attention to prepositions and punctuation marks.
Expression
- Reading with appropriate stress and intonation, also known as prosody.

Modeling Fluent Reading: Demonstrate fluent reading for children.
- Show changes in voice with punctuation.
- Use character voices to bring text to life.
Supportive Practice: Engage children in reading together, practice with rhymes.
- Encourage reading in rhythm to feel patterns.
- Share reading experiences.
Instructional Texts: Use texts at instructional level for guided practice.
- Demonstrate decoding skills.
Independent Reading Time: Allow children to read independently to practice skills.
- Encourage re-reading for smoother reading.

Listening to a child read provides insight into their reading skills.
Use observations to plan targeted instruction.
Avoid overemphasis on scoring fluency based only on rate and accuracy.
- Consider comprehensive assessment including phrasing and expression.

Avoid relying solely on rates and accuracy scores.
Consider a full picture of fluency including comprehension.
Be mindful of children's comfort and proficiency levels, especially English learners.