Fluency Practice for Older Struggling Readers - With Links to Freebies

Two Pencils and a Book

Reading is a multifaceted skill that serves as the foundation for academic success. As educators, we frequently focus on the early years of reading instruction, ensuring our youngest students have the basic skills necessary to decode and understand texts. However, it's equally crucial to attend to the needs of older struggling readers, especially in the realm of reading fluency. Fluency, in this context, refers to the ability to read smoothly, accurately, and with appropriate expression (Rasinski, 2010). Developing this skill is an essential component of a well-rounded science of reading program.

Why is Fluency Important?

Fluency serves as a bridge between word recognition and comprehension. When students can read a text fluently, they're more likely to understand and remember its content. As the National Reading Panel notes, fluency is a "critical component of skilled reading" (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2000). For older readers who struggle, fluency can often be the missing link, the hurdle preventing them from accessing more complex texts and academic content.

Fiction vs. Non-fiction Fluency

Fiction Fluency: Fiction texts often contain rich, descriptive language and varied sentence structures. Practicing fluency with fiction helps students navigate these linguistic challenges. This not only boosts comprehension but also encourages a deeper emotional connection to the material.

The Giver NOVEL in High Low Reading Comprehension Fluency Passages

Two Pencils and a Book

Lesson Idea: Choose short, engaging fiction passages for repeated readings. Have students read the passage multiple times throughout the week, aiming to increase their accuracy and expressiveness with each reading. Try these from the Odyssey: The Odyssey An Adapted Novel w/ Unit: Struggling Readers w Reading Comprehension
 

Non-fiction Fluency: Non-fiction texts present their own set of challenges. They often contain domain-specific vocabulary and denser information. Fluency practice with non-fiction prepares students to swiftly access and process this type of information.

Bundle 4: High Low Reading Comprehension & Fluency Standards Aligned

Lesson Idea: Incorporate short non-fiction articles related to current events or class topics. After a couple of read-throughs, engage students in discussions about the content. As students become more fluent, their ability to discuss and engage with the topic will improve.

Fluency Strategies for Older Struggling Readers

  1. Repeated Readings: Choose short passages (both fiction and non-fiction) and have students read them multiple times. With each reading, they should aim to increase speed, accuracy, and expression. This method has been shown to be particularly effective in improving fluency (Samuels, 1979). Try these passages.


  3. Partner Reading: Pair up students and have them take turns reading aloud to one another. This provides a safe environment for practice and immediate feedback.

    High Interest Low Level Reading Comprehension and Fluency: Superheroes 2: Set 15


  5. Choral Reading: The entire class reads a passage together, helping struggling readers to match the pace and rhythm of their peers.


  7. Audio Recordings: Provide students with audio recordings of the text. They can listen and read along, mimicking the fluency of the recording. Over time, try having students record themselves to track progress.


  9. Phrase-Cued Reading: Break passages into meaningful chunks or phrases. This helps students practice reading naturally and with appropriate phrasing.


  11. Lesson Idea: Take a passage and break it up with slashes to indicate pauses. For instance: "Fluency is important/ for comprehension and enjoyment/ of reading." Students can practice reading these passages, pausing briefly at each slash.

Science of Reading BEGINNING "L" BLENDS - Fluency, Reading Comprehension & More

Conclusion

As educators, our mission is to unlock the potential in every student. For older readers who have struggled, it's never too late to introduce targeted fluency practice. A well-rounded science of reading program recognizes that fluency is not just for young readers, but for everyone. Through consistent practice with both fiction and non-fiction texts, we can help bridge the gap between word recognition and comprehension, allowing our older students to access and enjoy a wider range of texts.

Fluency and Comprehension

Reading Comprehension and Fluency for Older Struggling Readers


References:

  • Rasinski, T. (2010). The fluent reader (2nd ed.). New York: Scholastic.
  • National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2000). Report of the National Reading Panel. Teaching children to read: An evidence-based assessment of the scientific research literature on reading and its implications for reading instruction (NIH Publication No. 00-4769). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
  • Samuels, S. J. (1979). The method of repeated readings. The Reading Teacher, 32(4), 403-408.

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