Once students can decode, they must learn to read with accuracy, automaticity, and expression. That’s fluency and without it, comprehension stalls. The good news? Fluency can be taught, practiced, and mastered especially in a structured reading block.
Why Fluency Matters
Fluent readers don’t waste cognitive energy decoding, they focus on meaning. Struggling readers often appear disengaged, but in reality, they’re stuck in slow, effortful decoding.
3 Research-Based Fluency Practices
- Repeated Readings – With feedback to improve speed and accuracy
- Partner Reading – Practice with peers builds confidence and accountability
- Modeled Reading – Teacher reads aloud to demonstrate phrasing and expression
Assessment Tip
Use Acadience Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) or other probes every 2–3 weeks to track growth and set goals.
Fluency is the bridge between decoding and comprehension. Build it with intentional, short, high-leverage practices that give students the edge they need to succeed.