Fluency in a Minute (ok, 5...)

Fluency is such a tricky thing for my students.  While they can all decode, reading the words with expression, intonation, and pacing is proving really difficult.  To combat this, I begin my reading instruction with time each day to reflect upon *how* to actually read fluently.

Here is a video I made of myself taking the students through the steps of fluent reading.  We recite this daily, discuss it, and then practice it.   Then, while they are actually doing their 1 minute read, I walk around with my clipboard and listen in.  I jot down a few notes on how that student is reading, giving me some feedback and helping me to place students in groups during Independent Work Time that will best help them become better readers.  It is in the groups that I work on specific strategies, but whole group we do our best to focus on the basics.




Here is the document I use to record my notes.  Each week, my goal is to visit each child once to listen in.  If you notice in the video, I didn't spend a lot of time at each student.  I spent "just enough" so that I could hear what they were saying and take a few notes.

I print the record sheet out on Avery® White Full-Sheet Labels for Inkjet Printers with TrueBlock(TM) Technology, 8-1/2 inches x 11 inches, Pack of 25 (8165) (the kind that is one entire piece of sticky paper...I can NEVER format the labels correctly).  Once all of the labels are filled in, I know I have hit everyone and I can go put the labels in my assessment notebook (same notebook I keep my Quiz Breakdown in)  This becomes an ongoing record of student progress.



 As the year progresses, I get a feel for what each individual child needs, and begin listening for specific reading strategies and habits.   For me, this is a quick way to keep up with all of the data necessary for good differentiated instruction.

To the right is the banner I have hanging in the classroom with the 3 things we recite each day.  As the year progresses, I tend to take it down (as they have it memorized and I, quite frankly, could use the wall space!)