"Fluency is the developmental process that connects decoding with everything we know about words to make the meaning of the text come to life. Fluency is a wonderful bridge to comprehension and to a lifelong love of reading" (Wolf 2009, pg. 4).
Introduction to fluency
In 1983 Allington cited fluency as ‘the neglected goal’ (1983a).
Since then there have been discrepancies regarding what oral fluency actually encompasses,the National Reading Panel Report (2000) shone light on fluency and now comprehension and fluency are thought of as co-dependent.
This site aims to present the many aspects and applications of fluency and to propose that the art of fluency does not end with simply reading with pace, it also requires accuracy, clear comprehension and feeling.
Since then there have been discrepancies regarding what oral fluency actually encompasses,the National Reading Panel Report (2000) shone light on fluency and now comprehension and fluency are thought of as co-dependent.
This site aims to present the many aspects and applications of fluency and to propose that the art of fluency does not end with simply reading with pace, it also requires accuracy, clear comprehension and feeling.
DEFINITIONS OF FLUENCY
A complete focus on phrasing, attention to syntax and expressiveness, with no attention to pace (Danne, 2005).
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The ability to read text accurately and quickly at a conversational rate, with good prosody or feeling for the text (Hudson, Pullen Lane, & Torgeson, 2008; National Reading Panel, 2000).
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Measured by rate and accuracy of reading, for instance WCPM- Words correct per minute (Fuchs, Fuchs, & Maxwell, 1988).
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Fluent readers vs. Struggling readers
a guide to recognising strengths & deficits in fluency
FLUENT READERS
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READERS STRUGGLING WITH FLUENCY
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Eder & Felmlee advocate that; teachers interrupt and allow other students to interrupt struggling readers, while they discourage such interruptions when better readers read aloud (1984). Rather than jumping in when a student falters on a word, teachers need to allow students time to process the puzzle. |
Further readings & useful websites
- Allington, R.L. (1983a). Fluency: The neglected goal. The Reading Teacher, 36, 556–561.
- Allington, R.L. (2009). What really matters in fluency: research-based practises across the curriculum? Allyn and Bacon, Boston, MA: Pearson Education USA
- Rasinski, T.V. (2012). The reading teacher Vol. 65: Why reading fluency should be hot. (pp. 516-522)
- Read Naturally Inc (2008). Teachers Manual: Read naturally masters edition. http://www.readnaturally.com/pdf/METeachersManual.pdf
- Department of Education and Children’s Services, Government of South Australia (2011). Understanding the reading process: Fluency.
http://www.decd.sa.gov.au/literacy/files/links/UtRP_1_5_v3.pd