A few at my school give bi-monthly "take home passages" to help our
struggling readers increase fluency. These passages are to be practiced
ALOUD nightly---hopefully with a parent. They are NOT meant to stress out
the kid (or parents) but simply to: increase fluency. Why? So when
students encounter these words in yet another passage, they will be able to
instantly decode the words and not have comprehension 'break down.' Sixth
graders should read a minimum of 147 wpm by the end of 6th grade. At least
30 of mine are currently reading less than 100 wpm. Fluency is one of the 5
components of reading ---[_Put Reading First_]. [phonemic awareness,
phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension] Many parents aren't sure "how
to help" their child---especially when many parents aren't fluent readers
themselves. This is one way we can help provide no stress assistance.
Barbara/6th/FL
-----Original Message-----
On Behalf Of Margie Waterbrook
> . Note the phrase I highlighted mid-description - would you agree in
> general? For your school?
>
> It's really interesting timing that you posted this today, Bill.
> Several years ago I worked at a charter school where it seemed all the
> special ed reading teacher did was time kids on their reading...and my
> group of friends on the the faculty, from a common-sense rather than
> a research point-of-view--just thought it was ridiculous and one more
> reason we all wanted OUT of that particular school.
Now I am at a much better school and teach an "English Support" class
with a special ed teacher whom I respect...and, much to my surprise, all of
a sudden we are doing these fluency checks. We discussed this, and she tells
me that that was her reaction at first as well...but that she dug into the
research and it supports this kind of teaching.
Research v. common sense...this approach still doesn't make sense to
me. Luckily, unlike at the earlier school, where this is about all they did,
we have a much more balanced program. But I am still unconvinced about
pushing for speed. It's not as if it's a typing class!
Margie
Margie Waterbrook
9th & 10th Grade English
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