FLUENCY IN READING

What is fluency ?

The ability to read a text quickly and accurately with expression and sound natural, as if speaking.

The Fluent Reader sounds good sounds good is easy to listen to is easy to listen to reads with enough expression to help the listener understand and enjoy the material reads with enough expression to help the listener understand and enjoy the material

Why Do We Need to Be Fluent? The quake, which struck at 10:15 a.m. PDT, had a preliminary magnitude of 6.0 and was centered 7 miles southeast of Parkfield, the town known as California's earthquake capital, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Fluent Readers… Read a text smoothly, easily, correctly, and at the right pace Read a text smoothly, easily, correctly, and at the right pace Read effortlessly and sound natural, the reading sounds like speaking Read effortlessly and sound natural, the reading sounds like speaking Group words quickly to gain meaning from what was read Group words quickly to gain meaning from what was read Use expression to convey meanings and feelings Use expression to convey meanings and feelings

Therefore… The listener enjoys the reading! The listener enjoys the reading!

What does a fluent reader sound like? Reads at the right speed Reads at the right speed Reads smoothly, not in chunks Reads smoothly, not in chunks Reads accurately – missed no words, could pronounce all words Reads accurately – missed no words, could pronounce all words Reads using punctuation -. ? !, Reads using punctuation -. ? !, Reads with expression – we feel like we are there (may change voices to suit character Reads with expression – we feel like we are there (may change voices to suit character

Main Elements of Fluency Rate – read smoothly and the right speed for the text Rate – read smoothly and the right speed for the text Accuracy – pronounce the words correctly Accuracy – pronounce the words correctly Expression – read with expression which is correct for the piece of text Expression – read with expression which is correct for the piece of text

Less Fluent Readers: Read slowly, word by word Are choppy and plodding oral readers, they read “in chunks” Must spend time trying to figure out words After doing all of these things, they have little attention left for understanding what they read

Chunking Effects How We All Understand My – handsome – dog – Luther – loves – to – play – catch - with – this – bright, - red – ball. My handsome – dog Luther – loves to – play catch – with this – bright, red – ball. My handsome dog – Luther loves to – play catch with – this bright, red - ball. My handsome dog Luther – loves to play catch – with this bright, red – ball.

Read Using the Right Expression You are going to the school. You are going to the school? You are going to the school!

Why Do We Need to be Fluent? The more fluently you read, the more you understand. The more fluently you read, the more you understand.

MSMS Reading Idol Sit around any table as a group of 4 or 5 Sit around any table as a group of 4 or 5 Find a section of your novel to read orally to your table. It should be about 30 seconds long only. Find a section of your novel to read orally to your table. It should be about 30 seconds long only. Read the passage silently as a practice round, keeping in mind what a fluent reader sounds like. Read the passage silently as a practice round, keeping in mind what a fluent reader sounds like.

MSMS Reading Idol Appoint someone at the table to be the timekeeper Appoint someone at the table to be the timekeeper Each member at your table will read their passage orally for 30 seconds. The timekeeper will say stop. Each member at your table will read their passage orally for 30 seconds. The timekeeper will say stop. After each member has read, the group will decide who is the most fluent reader and let the teacher know. After each member has read, the group will decide who is the most fluent reader and let the teacher know.

MSMS Reading Idol If time we will have a read-off for the winner (a prize will be given); if not, we will finish next reading day. If time we will have a read-off for the winner (a prize will be given); if not, we will finish next reading day. The class will vote on the winner The class will vote on the winner During our next session we will use the following rubric. During our next session we will use the following rubric.

MSMS Reading Idol Rubric Criteria You’re There! Getting There! Almost There! Fluency  Words are said clearly and correctly throughout the reading  Clear, strong voice throughout the reading  Reads smoothly and with good speed  Words are said clearly and correctly with a few exceptions (1-3 words)  Voice audible but may be lower or falter at times  Meaning of the piece is lost because of lack of enunciation or saying the words clearly  Voice difficult to hear throughout the whole piece Appropriate Fit  Reader’s interpretation (their meaning and mood) is appropriately shown and reflects the piece  Reader’s interpretation is clear but does not fit the piece  Reader’s interpretation is unclear Performance  Piece is read with excellent, exaggerated gestures  Eye contact is made with the entire audience  Enthusiasm is displayed  Piece is read with some gestures present  Limited eye contact is made  Attempted enthusiasm  The piece is read