Strategies for teaching fluency with beginning readers

1. Fluency Strategies
with
Beginning Readers

2. Here you will find methods of
encouraging fluency, a skill crucial
to comprehension, with beginning
readers.
Fluency is usually a
concern once children
are already readers.
But, should we wait until then?

3. Assumptions
Children know sound-symbol
relationships
Children can blend letters to
make words

4. 1. Model fluent reading
2. Provide direct instruction and feedback
3. Provide reader support
4. Use repeated readings of one text
5. Cue phrase boundaries in text (/ //)
6. Provide students with easy reading materials
Ways to Develop Fluency

6. Flash cards
Individual Use
- on a ring
- in an envelope
Class use
- large cards
- pocket charts
Filler activity
- form phrases
- make sentences

7. Words on Rings
Flip Charts
Reading by Analogy

8. Pocket Chart with PrePrimer Words - Making Sentences

9. Word Folders
Word Banks

10. Word Folders
Word Banks

11. Charts
Large “Double Time Lists” Charts
- frequency
- comprehension is vital
- pace yourself
- aim for speed but be realistic
Individual Student Double Time Word Lists
fluency is the important thing,
not speed

12. Preprimer Double Time List

13. Devin’s Words
a have my we
and I of went
at in on with
can is play you
do it see
for like the
go me to

14. Students should be given opportunities to practice
reading fluency with letters, words, and phrases
that can be found in the classroom. (Not just the
print found in books!)
During reading centers, students are able to walk
around independently to “Read the room”.
Pocket charts and hanging posters are located
throughout and are kept at eye level. Empty laundry
baskets are great places to keep rolled-up poems
and songs previously learned.
Read the Room

15. Photo from ReadingResource.Net

16. Games/Activities to
Encourage Fluency
Words in a Box
Phrases in a Box
Sentences in a Box
Zap Game
Choral Reading
Readers’ Theatre
Make your own Commercial
News Flash

17. Words in a Box
in a bag
in a container
in a bin
Phrases in a Box
Sentences in a Box

19. ZAP Game

20. Zap Game
Encourages reading fluently, accurately, quickly
Uses high frequency words - or any words you like!
Uses simple items (paper bags, index cards)
Easily replicated for use at home

22. Crazy Eights
with Dolch Words
Or Word Families
Other Games that foster Fluency

23. Nursery Rhymes
Songs
Traditional Songs
Mary had a little lamb
This Land is my Land
Phonemic Awareness Songs
Down by the Bay
Apples and Bananas
Books/Internet
Choral Reading

24. Adapt favorite books
The Doorbell Rang
The Little Red Hen
Internet
http://www.teachingheart.net/readerstheater.htm
Bookstore
Readers’ Theatre

25. Readers’ Theatre Homemade Scripts

26. Make your own Commercial
News Flash

27. Of course, this is just the beginning.
Try,
Experiment,
Have fun.