I really, really liked this article! I feel like the techniques outlined are very doable even for a novice teacher. I also agree that fluency is vital in reading comprehension. We have all witnessed children and even adults who are trying so hard to say each word (decoding) that they do not understand what they read. In order to comprehend, reading must be automatic, not a labored exercise that drains the reader. Round robin reading does not help students improve their reading and as teachers we must find new ways to help our children read and read well!

Any teacher should be able to model fluent reading for students. A  daily read aloud period could be added to the class schedule. Teachers sometmes implement this period after lunch or recess and use it as a time to bring the students back into the academic setting. Supported oral reading and repeated reading of connected texts could be very time consuming. This might be a great way to use parent or community volunteers in the classroom. Time managment is one of the primary reasons that I love the idea of readers theatre. I love dramatic interpretations of poems and narratives. I can see me using this in my classroom. It doesn’t require a lot of money, props, or extensive planning. Any teacher and her students could implement readers theatre to increase reading fluency.  There are a wealth of scripts available on the internet as well as instrucitons and tips for success.

Research shows that fluency matters….a lot. I want to help my students develop automaticity and fluency in their reading so that they can comprehend what they read and learn to love reading!