For students with lower reading scores
How to Do It in Class
Choose the Right Text: Select a text that matches the student’s current reading level and is engaging and appropriate for their age. For younger students (ages 7–11), opt for short stories, poems, or simple passages. For older students (ages 11–16), choose excerpts from novels, speeches, or content relevant to their interests.
Model Fluent Reading: Begin by reading the text aloud to demonstrate proper fluency, including pacing, accuracy, and expression.
Repeated Reading: Have the student read the text aloud multiple times. Encourage them to focus on improving their pace and reducing errors with each attempt.
Add Expression: As fluency improves, guide students to use expression, tone, and emphasis to enhance their reading and understanding of the text.
Monitor Progress: Track improvements in reading speed and accuracy to show progress and keep students motivated.
Why This Helps
Fluency practice allows students to develop automaticity in recognising words, which reduces cognitive load and helps them focus on the meaning of the text. Repetition builds confidence, while adding expression makes the process more engaging and supports comprehension.
Age Considerations
Younger Students (Ages 7–11): Use a short poem, such as “The Owl and the Pussycat.” Model the reading, then have students read it several times, focusing on rhythm and rhyme.
Older Students (Ages 11–16): Choose a passage from a novel or a historical speech. After modelling, encourage students to practice reading with expression, discussing how tone and pacing can affect meaning.
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