Topic: Fluency in Reading

10-second review: Defines fluency in reading and suggests repeated reading as a good technique to use in developing fluency.

Title: “Repeated Reading of Poetry Can Enhance Reading fluency.” Sherri Faver. Reading Teacher (December 2008/January 2009), 350 – 352. A publication of the International Reading Association (IRA).

Summary/Quotes: “Reading fluency…must be explicitly taught and modeled.” p. 350.

“…defined a fluent reader as one who accurately decodes words while automatically recognizing them and using the appropriate oral expression while reading. The ultimate goal of a fluent reader is to read at a normal speaking pace while comprehending what is being read.”

“Meyer and Felton (1999) suggested the following three types of repeated reading: read along, in which an adult or teacher reads along with the student; assisted repeated reading, in which students are paired and read in unison; unassisted repeated reading, in which students read the text independently.” (By repeating the reading several times or more, the students become familiar with the text and can therefore begin to practice reading fluently. RayS.)

Author suggests reading the same poem three to five times a week, using one of the three techniques—read along, assisted or unassisted repeated reading. Leads to improved fluency.

Comment: No question. Teaching fluency explicitly is well worth while, an important part of learning to read. Assumes that fluent oral reading leads to fluent silent reading. Does it? RayS.