Fluency in reading refers to reading with speed, accuracy, and proper expression. Fluent readers can recognize words automatically, read aloud effortlessly while comprehending, and decode without focusing on individual words. Factors like unfamiliarity with text, limited vocabulary, and decoding problems can cause difficulties with fluency. Fluency should be assessed both formally using timed grade-level passages and informally by monitoring accuracy and speed, with consistent progress monitoring. Repeated readings of the same passage done daily is an effective technique for building fluency through increased speed and reduced errors with each repetition.

2. WHAT IS FLUENCY?
Speed + Accuracy =
Fluency
Reading quickly and in a
meaningful way (prosody)
Decoding and
comprehending
simultaneously
Did you know …. The word fluency comes from the latin word fluens which
means to flow?

3. WHAT CAN FLUENT READERS DO?
Recognize words automatically
Read aloud effortlessly and with
expression
Decode without concentrating on it
Focus on comprehension

4. FACTORS THAT CAUSE DIFFICULTY WITH FLUENCY
Unfamiliarity with a text
Limited vocabulary
Decoding problems
Syntax problems

5. HOW SHOULD FLUENCY BE ASSESSED?
Both formally and informally
Sometimes using grade level passages that are timed
Monitor accuracy and speed
Consistent progress monitoring is key

6. HOW TO BUILD READING FLUENCY
Daily Practice
Repeated Readings
Goal setting
Fluency Graphing to display progress

7. WHAT DOES REPEATED READING LOOK LIKE?
Read the same passage several times until the
desired rate is reached
Keep reading at the same level until the same rate
is reached (three times),
then move on to a new level and repeat procedure
Do it daily!
Perform at least 3-4 repetitions of the text each
day.

8. WHY DO REPEATED READINGS WORK?
Fluency rate increases with each reading
Word recognition errors drop
Improves rate on the next passage

9. RESOURCES
Tompkins, G (2010). Literacy For the 21st Century a Balanced Approach.