Why It Matters: Fluency
What is Fluency?
Fluency centers upon three keys:
(1) the ability to read the text or print accurately;
(2) the ability to read the text or print fluid pace;
(3) the ability to read the text or print with expression.
These three keys provide a bridge between word recognition and comprehension. Fluency develops gradually over time and through practice. At the earliest stage of reading development, a child’s oral reading will be slow and labored. This is due to the child just learning to connect the sounds to letters, and to blend letter sounds into recognizable words.
Why it Matters
Accuracy: Fluent readers read silently, recognizing words automatically. The words are grouped together quickly, helping to create meaning of what is read. When reading aloud, fluent readers read with ease and expression. Their reading sounds natural, as if they are speaking.
Because time is not spent on decoding words, a fluent reader’s attention is focused on the meaning of the text. Fluent readers are able to make connections between the ideas in the text and their personal background knowledge. Thus, a fluent reader recognizes words and comprehends at the same time.
Less fluent readers use their energy to decode the words, with little attention on what the text means. Readers who have not yet developed fluency will read slowly, word by word. Their oral reading will sound choppy and in pieces. This impacts the reader’s understanding.
Fluid Pace: To read at a fluid pace, is not the same as “speed” reading. A fluid pace refers to recognizing words automatically and effortlessly. This allows the reader to focus on the meaning of the words, rather than having attention to decode or associate the letters to the sounds to create a known word.
Expression: To read with expression, a reader must be able to divide the text into meaningful chunks. Readers need to know where to pause within and at the ends of sentences, as well as when to change emphasis and tone.
The Importance of Modeling & Rereading
Children who read and reread passages orally as they receive guidance and/or feedback become better readers. Repeated oral reading substantially improves word recognition, fluid pace, and accuracy leading to stronger fluency. To a lesser but still considerable extent, repeated oral reading also improves reading comprehension. Repeated oral reading improves the reading ability of all children throughout the elementary school years. It also helps struggling readers at higher grade levels.
Researchers have found several effective techniques related to repeated oral reading:
children read and reread a text a certain number of times or until a certain level of fluency is reached. Four re-readings are sufficient for most children.
oral reading practice is increased through the use of audiotapes, tutors, peer guidance, or other means.
In addition, some effective repeated oral reading techniques have carefully designed feedback to guide the reader's performance.
Traditionally, many teachers have relied primarily on round-robin reading to develop oral fluency. In round-robin reading, students take turns reading parts of a text aloud (though usually not repeatedly). But round-robin reading in itself does not increase fluency. This may be because children only read small amounts of text, and usually read this small portion only once.