Schools should provide students with up to 30 minutes a day of fluency instruction. But remember, this is across all classes and content areas. Get quick tips on paired reading, repeated reading, and other ways to improve reading fluency.
Let’s dive into the awesomeness that is the graphic novel. Although there are many “flavors” of graphic novels, we’re going to start with three graphic novels about cooking and baking!
This idea of using challenging (not impossible texts) is important. Students do need texts that they can read, but they also need to stretch. Towards that end, I suggest the following.
What does research have to say about working on reading fluency development with older students? Is it appropriate for secondary teachers to spend instructional time on it? Dr. Shanahan shares his insight as he reviews what the science is telling us. Reprinted with permission from Shanahan on Literacy.
Above the 30-35th%ile cutoff, I would definitely just give these kids extra time with the demanding grade-level materials. Below that line, and I would want to provide at least some explicit instruction in foundational skills.
How does an idea spark a book prize? David Bruce Smith recalls how his desire for more kids to get excited about American history turned into the Grateful American Foundation and Book Prize.
Instead of front-loading the first reading, you could try front-loading the second or third — after the kids have had a chance to “pedal the bike themselves” — even if that pedaling isn’t perfectly successful.
Monitoring comprehension means not tabulating specific skills that have been accomplished, but what complexity of text language students can negotiate.
