* This is part 2 of the Fluency Matters Class. However, students are welcome to join at any time and are not required to take part 1 of the course first. Part 1 and 2 both focus on reading fluently. During Part 2, our strategy lessons and games will focus on learning multisyllabic words. I've found that most of my students need additional practice with these longer words in order to help them to grow in fluency. 

In this ongoing class, students will read fiction and nonfiction passages and work on fluency skills. This class is designed for students who are not fluent readers, are reading below grade level, and need help reading smoothly, in phrases, and with expression.

What is fluency? 
Fluency is the ability to read quickly, accurately, and with expression. Fluent readers are good at oral reading and have a smooth and natural expression. 

Why is it important?
When students read too slowly and have to focus too much on decoding, they have trouble concentrating their attention on what the text actually means. Therefore, as a student grows more fluent, comprehension usually becomes easier.

How do you become a fluent reader?
Research has shown that repeated reading is one of the best ways to improve student’s reading fluency.

Class Schedule
Each week, we will graph W.P.M. (words per minute) as a way to track student improvement. The goal of this class is to improve fluency. Each student will complete three timed readings of the passage to document improvement. We will also read the passage multiple times to practice. First, we will complete a cold reading of the passage and graph W.P.M. Second, after we underline any unknown words and discuss meanings, then we will reread the passage. Third, we will read for comprehension and discuss the meaning of the passage. Then we will do a final reading.  As time allows, we will also work on multisyllabic words and play some fluency games.  Since we will be reading a new passage each week, students may join the class at any time.