Ways to Improve Reading Fluency

At this time of year, teachers are looking for ways to increase their students' reading fluency.   It may surprise you that some of the things you already do are really a core foundation for this. This list (with links) may help to confirm your suspicions that you are on target.

1. Echo Reading - Students read the text of a story, poem or article that is projected onto a screen, then they read it back to you.   This works well with poetry especially rhyming poetry.  They get the pattern, the voice inflection and can work out the meaning as you go along. 
2. You Tube dramatic readings - student have a copy of the text and follow along with a video recording of the story, poem, or article.  I did this with Emily Dickinson and Edgar Allan Poe.  An actor or actress was much more interesting than me and students were riveted. 
3. Readers Theater - pre-read a short play with them then assign parts and read it out loud.  Students have a chance to rehearse and then shine! 

10 Ways to improve reading fluency

1. Read aloud to children to provide a model of fluent reading. ...
2. Have children listen and follow along with audio recordings. ...
3. Practice sight words using playful activities. ...
4. Let children perform a reader's theater. ...
5. Do paired reading. ...
6. Try echo reading. ...
7. Do choral reading. ...
8. Do repeated reading.