Fluency Activities
Fluency is the ability to accurately and automatically read text with appropriate expression, also known as prosody, and rate. Fluency is also a bridge from word recognition to comprehension. The first step is decoding(word recognition) and this is where phonics, read past the word, structural analysis, context, and work ID strategies happen. After decoding, you keep driving(reading) until you hit automaticy. This is where quick/ instant recognition takes place but has to be an appropriate rate. During this stage you show understanding of text by reading with appropriate expression. Prosody also takes place between automatic and comprehension. Prosody is expressive comprehension, and leads us directly into comprehension. In Phonics They Use, Cunningham (2013) says that "children become fluent readers as they engage in lots of easy reading, having daily opportunities to hear and participate in expressive oral reading, and participate in some repeated reading activities". Children must continue to develop fluency to be able to understand and enjoy reading. The University of Oregon has a great webpage to help better understand fluency, fluency skills, and research to support fluency. This information can be found at http://reading.uoregon.edu/big_ideas/flu/flu_what.php.
Activity One: Readers Theater
Readers Theater is a great activity to support fluency in a teachers classroom. It is a fun way to get students reading and practicing becoming more fluent. In readers theater students read a script adapted from literature out loud, usually in pairs or groups. During readers theater there are no sets, costumes, props, or memorized lines. The goal during readers theater isn't to act out what they are reading, the goal is to read the script fluently and effectively. During readers theater prosody is key. Prosody is reading with appropriate expression. This is key during readers theater because students are bringing the text alive by using their voice. We can tell when a student is fluent when they are reading with expression, proper emphasis, uses their voice to convey meaning, and has clean enunciation. It is important that the script chosen will interest students to want to read and be comfortable with their reading fluency. An example of readers theater would be to pair up students and give them a script of two parts, plus a narrator which would be the teacher. I've attached an example of a script with two parts, plus the narrator, called "Frog or Toad?" I retrieved this script from http://www.timelessteacherstuff.com. There are many more scripts on this website, along with many other teachers websites. Readers Theater is beneficial to students in many different ways. It helps students develop fluency through repeated reading of the same text, creates confidence in students, engages students, and integrates reading, speaking, and listening in an authentic context. This activity works because it gets students excited and engaged in reading out loud.
elementary_readers_theater-_frog_or_toad | |
File Size: | 2 kb |
File Type: | elementary readers theater- frog or toad |
Activity retrieved from: www.pinterest.com
Original Author: http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/readers-theatre-ideas-for-improving.html
Picture from: www.pinterest.com
Original Author: http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/readers-theatre-ideas-for-improving.html
Picture from: www.pinterest.com
Activity Two: Echo Reading
Echo reading is a great fluency activity because during echo reading the teacher models expressive oral reading first, and then his or her students try to make their voice sound just like the teachers when they echo. This activity allows students to practice proper expression, recognize new words, and read at an appropriate rate. To begin echo reading for the first time, the teacher needs to make sure their class understands what an echo is. The teacher can start this discussion by asking the class, "What's an echo?" The teacher then allows class members to explain what an echo is, and if needed the teacher will clarify the correct meaning of an echo to make sure all of the class understands. The teacher should only have to talk about what an echo is this first time she introduces this activity. A teacher can choose a book or another text that she wants the class to echo read. This is usually done one sentence at a time, and can be done in different voices as long as the words are still being pronounced corrected. When selecting a text for younger children, try to choose a common favorite book your students enjoy. The textbook, Phonics They Use, gives some good examples of books to read such as One of Three by Angela Johnson, and My Friend by Taro Gomi. Many different books can be used for echo reading. Students really enjoy this activity because it is a fun way for them to be able to get involved and practice reading.
Below is a video I found on YouTube that is a great example of a teacher introducing echo reading into her classroom, and then walking the class through echo reading the proper way. I highly recommend watching it because she gives some good ideas on how this can be implemented into the classroom effectively.
Below is a video I found on YouTube that is a great example of a teacher introducing echo reading into her classroom, and then walking the class through echo reading the proper way. I highly recommend watching it because she gives some good ideas on how this can be implemented into the classroom effectively.
Activity retrieved from: Phonics They Use: Words for Reading and Writing by Patricia M. Cunningham
Video retrieved from: www.youtube.com
Video retrieved from: www.youtube.com
Good Article to Read: Why fluency should be a hot topic
Why Fluency Should be a Hot Topic | |
File Size: | 228 kb |
File Type: |
In the document above has an explanation of why fluency should be a hot topic. It tell what fluency is and what fluency is not. It also talks about automaticity, prosody, and how to teach fluency. This is a very informational article and I encourage you to read it.