Fluency in a Minute (ok, 5...)

Fluency is such a tricky thing for my students.  While they can all decode, reading the words with expression, intonation, and pacing is proving really difficult.  To combat this, I begin my reading instruction with time each day to reflect upon *how* to actually read fluently.

Here is a video I made of myself taking the students through the steps of fluent reading.  We recite this daily, discuss it, and then practice it.   Then, while they are actually doing their 1 minute read, I walk around with my clipboard and listen in.  I jot down a few notes on how that student is reading, giving me some feedback and helping me to place students in groups during Independent Work Time that will best help them become better readers.  It is in the groups that I work on specific strategies, but whole group we do our best to focus on the basics.




Here is the document I use to record my notes.  Each week, my goal is to visit each child once to listen in.  If you notice in the video, I didn't spend a lot of time at each student.  I spent "just enough" so that I could hear what they were saying and take a few notes.

I print the record sheet out on Avery® White Full-Sheet Labels for Inkjet Printers with TrueBlock(TM) Technology, 8-1/2 inches x 11 inches, Pack of 25 (8165) (the kind that is one entire piece of sticky paper...I can NEVER format the labels correctly).  Once all of the labels are filled in, I know I have hit everyone and I can go put the labels in my assessment notebook (same notebook I keep my Quiz Breakdown in)  This becomes an ongoing record of student progress.



 As the year progresses, I get a feel for what each individual child needs, and begin listening for specific reading strategies and habits.   For me, this is a quick way to keep up with all of the data necessary for good differentiated instruction.

To the right is the banner I have hanging in the classroom with the 3 things we recite each day.  As the year progresses, I tend to take it down (as they have it memorized and I, quite frankly, could use the wall space!)

40 comments

  1. Great idea and video! Thanks for sharing :)

    Lisa :)
    http://madeintheshadeinsecondgrade.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love it Stephanie! I was just WRAPing a student today & I was explaining this concept to him. I love the kinesetic movements to go with the chant. I am totally going to implement this in my class. Thanks so much for sharing!


    Always 
    Live.Laugh.Teach
    Christina

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love it Stephanie! I was just WRAPing a student today & I was explaining this concept to him. I love the kinesetic movements to go with the chant. I am totally going to implement this in my class. Thanks so much for sharing!


    Always 
    Live.Laugh.Teach
    Christina

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks everyone! It really is a fun way to keep them engaged and thinking about reading strategies.
    ~Steph

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for the video. I love seeing the ideas I read about in action. Definitely adding this to my reading instructions. Love the movements. Such a great way to help it stick in their mind!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is great! I want to start something similar like this with my 2 regular classes! So thankful for you sharing with us!

    Adventures of a 6th Grade Teacher

    ReplyDelete
  7. Have you ever heard of a program called 100 Book Challenge?? This is very similar to that....they read everyday for 15 minutes inb class, and I make my rounds...I of course spend more time with my lower kids, but still want my high kids to move up. I get to about 2-3 low kids each day and we conference on wjat they can do and what they need to work on. Then I get to a few high kids, just to listen for about 30 secs to make sure they aren't struggling with their reading. It really works with them...
    we also do a mini lesson before they start reading that they look for while reading. I love it.

    The Teachers’ Cauldron

    ReplyDelete
  8. WOW. I love the gestures for this. If you do this daily, do they ever get sick of reciting it? I can only imagine my little darlings reaction to this everyday.

    ReplyDelete
  9. My student actually don't ever seem to get bored of it Lindsay. I mean, I don't really get bored, so they don't, you know? It is so short, and it is something anyone can be successful at, so it seems to hold their attention.
    ~Steph

    ReplyDelete
  10. Glad you posted this! Fluency is so important and like you show in your video with what you have the kids recite- fluency is not about reading as fast as you can go! Good job!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I really loved watching this! We are always working on our fluency (since my guys are ELLs) and this would be so ideal for my students. Thanks for the video and printable! I hope you have a nice weekend Stephanie!
    Kristen

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your routine is fantastic! I can't wait to try this with my students. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is awesome! What texts do you use for it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was wondering the same. I noticed what text you used as you told the students to mark their spot when the time was up. I like Carlie's idea of simply going back to a portion of a book from independent reading time, but I would like to be able to look more at the text they marked to see progress. Are all the students reading the same passage (depending on reading level)?

      Delete
    2. The text I use is actually from my reading series (CA Treasures) They have numbered fluency passages in there. So, yes, all of the students are reading the same thing. It is a fairly middle of the road passage and gives my students a chance to focus on the strategies (end punctuation, rollercoaster voice, etc...) In the past, for students who were really low or really high and just needed other passages, I used the grade levels below or above from our reading series (as luckily, they have the numbered passages in them)

      ~Stephanie

      Delete
  14. Thank you so much for this! I started it with my kids (7th grade) last week, and so far it's working SO WELL! I do it most days at the end of their independent reading time, so I have them just go back and pick a passage (1-2 paragraphs) that they felt comfortable with (a place where they knew most of the words and understand what was going on), and tell them to read it as many times as they can in the minute. As we get into it, I'll challenge those who feel comfortable to read an unfamiliar portion of their book to increase the difficulty.

    Thanks again!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so so glad to hear that it is going so well! Thank you for coming back to tell me. You just made my day :)

      ~Steph

      Delete
  15. On the fluency stickers, what does RLT stand for? Thanks for sharing this - great resource!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RLT = Read like talk. Does the student read as if they are telling a story, or as if they are reading like a robot? Do they "rollercoaster" their voice or is it monotone. Just a quick way for me to gauge where I can help the student.

      (I really need to go make a "guide" for that! Thanks for reminding me!)

      Delete
  16. This is so great, Stephanie! Thanks for sharing this. I'm printing your recording sheet and starting this next week. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your fluency chant. Totally using that :)

    Thanks so much!
    Elizabeth
    Fun in Room 4B

    ReplyDelete
  17. also - what is F N S?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FNS = Fast, Neutral, Slow.

      How did the child read? Did he speed through? Was it a normal sounding pace, or did he read really slowly?

      Delete
  18. What do you write in "voice" on your recording form?

    ReplyDelete
  19. I really like the fluency chant you do on a daily basis. i have third graders who will benefit from this. thanks for sharing.
    ck

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Stephanie,
    Thank you so much for your wonderful work that has inspired me so much !
    I was just wondering if you could post the video again since it says "video removed by the owner" so I can't see it anymore... :(
    Thank you !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love to see the video!! :-) Thank you!!

      Delete
  21. I would also love to see the video. Is there a way that I can see the text of what is said if not. Very intrigued! Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would love to see the video too... is there any way you could put it back up?

    Thanks Alicia Neal

    ReplyDelete
  23. Stephanie,

    I would like for you to put the video back up also or could you send me an email (RamsMom1@aol.com) with the motions listed so I can work with my special needs students. Thanks for sharing your teaching ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Stephanie. Are you going to repost your fluency video? I'm curious as to how you do this in your classroom. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hello!

    Someone recommended your post as a great resource for fluency and I was sad to see that the video no longer works! :( Are you planning on reposting it? We would love to see it!

    Thanks,
    Katie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did remove it. I will be reshooting it during this year, and will post when I do.

      Delete
  26. I was hoping to watch this video too... did you repost it somewhere else?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Would love to look at the video. Did you repost yet? Thanks. Also, when your kids are reading for the minute, are they all reading the same text or anything they want?

    ReplyDelete
  28. I would also love to see the video! Have you posted it somewhere?

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'd also love to see the video. Thank you so much! :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Would also love to see the video. Just found this blog and I am loving it! thanks

    ReplyDelete
  31. Would love to see the video.

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  32. I used to use this routine in my classroom from your original post. Did you ever happen to redo the video or have one that you might be able to share?

    ReplyDelete

Please leave a comment! I love to hear what you think about what is posted :)