As I mentioned in my email last week, Children's Reading Partners surveys teachers at the beginning and the end of our programs to see where students need help and how they have improved. Over the next few weeks, I will continue sending you weekly tips to address the areas where our students need the most help, based on the results of our fall evaluations.
Our fall 2016 Elementary Express survey found that a large percentage of students need to build their reading fluency skills, especially in grades 1 through 3. Reading fluency is the ability to read a text with accuracy, speed, and expression. When your student reads to you, does their reading sound very slow, labored or monotone? Are they focusing more on decoding the words than on understanding the text? If so, then your student could probably use help with reading fluency.
Here are three ways you can help:
1. Repeat books.
Students can improve their reading fluency by reading and rereading a book multiple times. If they have a favorite book that they enjoy reading, feel free to have them read it again and again. Repeating books can help students read more accurately and quickly.
2. Read aloud.
When you read aloud a book to a student, you are modeling fluent reading. Make sure to vary your voice and expression when you read. This will help the child hear what it sounds like to read with expression (and it's also more engaging for them!). After you model how to read a passage with fluency, have your student reread the same passage for practice. In order to be effective, the book should be appropriate for the child's reading level.
3. Read together.
You can also help your student with reading fluency by reading a book together in unison. Choose predictable books with rhymes and repetition for this type of reading activity; it encourages students to join in. Begin by reading the first few pages of the book. Once your student has caught on to the rhyme or repetition, invite them to join in. Feel free to reread the book again and again. Rereading predictable books together will help your student read with more speed, accuracy and expression. Eric Carle's Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is a great example of a predictable and repetitious book.
Happy reading!
Alana
Alana Butler
Director, Children's Reading Partners
860.727.6152
