FluentZoo
Reading Fluency?
Time for FluentZoo
What is reading fluency?
If you can read fluently you can read quickly and accurately with appropriate expression and intonation.
We can think about reading fluency as having four interlinked aspects:
​
-
Accuracy (reading the actual words on the page or screen rather than guessing)
-
Automaticity (both recognising the words they have learnt to read at a glance automatically and decoding unfamiliar words quickly and effortlessly)
-
Rate (the speed at which children can read a text)
-
Prosody (reading with appropriate expression, intonation, volume and pace)
Reading fluency serves as a bridge between decoding words and comprehension.
Accurate and speedy word reading is important for comprehension: if someone is struggling to read the words on the page quickly and accurately, they might not have enough attention left to concentrate on the meaning of the text.
​
But the prosodic elements of fluency, which can sometimes be neglected, are also linked closely to comprehension. A reader shows their understanding of a text through how they read: through expression, the emphasis they give to specific words and phrases, and their tone as they read.
Reading fluency also supports reading enjoyment and engagement, encouraging children to read widely and become lifelong readers.
Good reading teaching - and a well-planned reading curriculum - will focus on helping every child to read to fluently, both the word reading aspects and the prosodic ones, as well as building comprehension and a strong reading habit. Good reading fluency teaching helps:
​
-
Every child to be able to read quickly, accurately and easily so that reading is enjoyable rather than being a huge effort. Reading becomes a pleasure rather than a chore.
-
Every child the be able to read reflecting the necessary rhythm, intonation, and expression of a text, both when they read it aloud and, more importantly, when they read to themselves, the internal voice that they hear in their head
-
All children to take pleasure in reading, seeing reading as an enjoyable, interesting, worthwhile way to spend their time, with all the social, emotional and academic benefits that being a reader brings.
How can we build reading fluency in the classroom?
At primary school, there are a number of approaches that can help children develop reading fluency:
1. Learning to read words quickly, accurately and automatically
The foundation for reading fluency is accurate and speedy word reading. Luckily, there won’t be many schools that don’t have this in place already, often using a published SSP programme alongside lots of planned opportunities for children to practise reading, building up the print experience which is so important in becoming a confident reader.
​
One significant aspect of development in reading fluency is the move from lifting words from the page using phonic knowledge to reading familiar words ‘at a glance’ without having to sound them out. It may take several encounters with a word before children can read it at a glance. More-experienced readers, who have met more words, will have a far greater number of words they can recognise.
2. Listening to texts being read aloud
Listening to a great book or wonderful poem being read aloud provides a vital model for fluent reading- children can hear how an accomplished reader brings a text to life, using intonation, rhythm, emphasis, and expression to reflect the meaning of a text. It can also be a really joyful time of the day, showcasing reading as an enjoyable activity. If there’s one thing we can do to build a generation of fluent readers who choose to read in their own time, reading aloud is it.
3. Making time for independent reading
Life is busy and there are many activities that compete with reading, both in school and at home. However, time spent reading, gaining print experience, is a significant factor in becoming a fluent reader. Making sure there is ring-fenced time for children to read without any distractions helps them to put in the reading miles, building their reading skill. Independent reading is also where children have the chance to gain the reading habit, following their interests and finding the books that they love.
Along with reading lessons or reading in English lessons, these three approaches are our bread and butter for helping children develop as fluent readers.
4. Specific approaches to developing reading fluency
Research suggests a number of other approaches that can be useful for building reading fluency, too. These approaches sit at the heart of FluentZoo:
Teacher modelled reading: Teacher modelled reading involves an adult demonstrating fluent reading with expression and appropriate prosody while reading aloud. The text used is one that children will read themselves later, providing a direct model for fluent reading.
​
By observing the teacher's fluent reading, children learn how to interpret punctuation cues, emphasise key words and phrases, and convey meaning effectively through intonation and expression. This modelling, along with discussion and explanation about the choices the teacher has made, helps children to internalise the characteristics of fluent reading, which they can then apply to their own reading.
Repeated reading: Opportunities to read the same text several times allows pupils to build fluency, allowing them to read the words quickly and accurately and attend to prosody to ‘bring the text to life’.
Echo reading: The teacher reads a text aloud (line-by-line or sentence-by-sentence) modelling appropriate fluency. After reading each line, the students echo back the reading, copying the pace, intonation and emphasis.
Paired Reading: Paired reading involves children reading aloud to each other in pairs, taking turns as the reader and the listener. As they take on the roles of both reader and listener, they receive immediate feedback on their fluency, expression, and comprehension from their partner. Paired reading promotes fluency by providing children with regular opportunities to practice reading aloud in a supportive and collaborative way.
Choral reading: A group or whole class read aloud together in unison. Choral reading can help to build fluency and self-confidence, as well as motivation, especially for pupils who may feel self-conscious or nervous about reading aloud on their own. It provides an opportunity to talk about how a text might be best read aloud, as well as reading the same text several times, which also supports fluent reading.
Reader's Theatre: Reader's theatre involves children performing texts (often playscripts or poems) by reading aloud from a written text. Through reader's theatre, children have the opportunity to practise reading with expression, intonation, and appropriate pacing. This interactive and engaging activity helps children develop fluency by encouraging them to interpret and convey the emotions, intentions, and personalities of the characters through their reading. They will also have the chance to mark-up a text before performing, looking closely at what they are about to read and discussing different ways of bringing the text to life.
Read more about reading fluency
