Helpful Fluency Strategies Anyone Can Do

To read fluently is to read aloud smoothly with appropriate expression. The reader reads as if he/she is speaking.  I focused on some fluency instruction towards the end of summer with a student going into the second grade.  Here's what we did that you may also find successful.  We read one of his favorite Fly Guy books, Fly Guy vs. The FlySwatter by Tedd Arnold.

After reading it, my friend retold the story in his own words.  We used his words from the retell to write another story.  We acted out each scene as he depicted it and I took pictures. A fun way to incorporate comprehension! Once the book was put together, he practiced reading his own words.  He read to a camcorder 4 times.  Finally, we watched the final reading with his mother.  He improved in fluency indicators of smoothness, pace and expression each reading.  The repeated reading was purposeful as we were practicing for an audience, his mother.  This combination of Repeated Reading strategy and Reader's Theatre were successful in improving his fluency, but most importantly he had FUN.  Having fun is the main goal during my sessions because I want my second grade friend to develop a love for reading!

If you're looking for more ideas on fluency strategies and why it's important for early readers, check out  this post from Reading Rockets:

Fluency Matters | Reading Topics A-Z | Reading Rockets

Enjoy and have fun with books!!