Building Our Reading Fluency

In a phonics group, we have been working on blending our letter sounds to read consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words. We are working on being able to read words more fluently instead of having to sound out each word sound-by-sound. To help us build our reading fluency, we have been reading books called decodable texts. In these books, students can use their knowledge of letter sounds to sound out unknown words. Most of the words in the text are words that students can decode or sound out.

Prior to reading our decodable text, we preview some of the words in the book. To preview the words, we do dictation practice where the students are sounding out and writing each word. We have been focusing on the short vowel sounds, so the students are sorting their words based on their short vowel sounds on a dry erase chart. This dictation practice allows the students to practice words in isolation prior to reading them in a text.

Next, we are ready to read our decodable text. To help build our fluency, we read the text multiple times. During the first read, we choral read the book together. In choral reading, the students and I are reading the book aloud together at the same time. Next, the students independently read the book to themselves at least two times. The students notice that each time they read the text, it becomes a little easier, and they are able to read the text more fluently. Finally, after independently reading the text, the students and I talk about the story using comprehension questions focusing on the characters, setting, problem, and solution.

Through dictation practice and repeated readings of decodable texts, the students are building their reading fluency and confidence as readers!