Introduction
Reciprocal theory– Relationship between fluency and comprehension is
reciprocal not unidirectional
Definitions– “Appropriate grouping or chunking of words into
natural phrases, demonstrated by correct intonation, stress and pauses” (Vaughn, 2000, p. 326)
– “Process of automatically, accurately and rapidly recognizing words” (Cooper & Kiger, 2001, p. 165)
Components of Fluency
Rate Automaticity
– Recognizing common words– Associating letter/letter combinations with their
sounds– Recognizing chunks/syllables within words– Recognizing the meanings of words
Components of Fluency (cont.)
Prosody/phrasing – Recognizing phrases
Understanding punctuation Expression
Informal Assessment
Checklists Running records Miscue analysis/retrospective miscue analysis Rubrics
Formal Assessment
Stanford Diagnostic Reading Test, Third Edition Gates-McKillop-Horowitz Reading Diagnostic Test,
Second Edition Gray Oral Reading Tests, Third Edition Gilmore Oral Reading Test Diagnostic Reading Scales, Revised Testing of Reading Fluency (TORF)
Seven Principles for Fluency Instruction (Raskinski & Padak, 1994)
Modeling of fluent reading Direct instruction with feedback Support while reading Opportunities to repeat readings Specific instruction to learn phrasing Time to work on increasing rate and fluency
Research Based Instruction
Guided and repeated oral reading and repeated reading
Assisted reading at appropriate rate Dyad reading Cross-age tutoring Readers theatre Choral reading
Research Based Instruction (cont.)
Prosodic instruction Guided reading Direct instruction in focusing on semantic and syntactic
cues Direct instruction in recognizing chunks within words Instruction in self- monitoring (listening to oneself on
tape and analyzing rate, accuracy, and expression)
Strategies for Teaching Fluency
Echo reading Impress reading Preview-pause-prompt-praise (PPPP) Oral recitation lesson (ORL) Carbo Recorded Book Method Tape, Check, Chart Tape, Time, Chart Readers Theater
Strategies for Teaching Fluency (cont.)
Flashcards Fluency development lesson (FDL) Supported-reading strategy