Building Fluency

Listening to Fluency: Rate and Expression Objective: The students will read independently, with speed, accuracy, and expression, as they listen to a recording of text being read fluently. Materials: • A copy of the same book or independent-level reading material for each student • A cassette tape recording of an individual reading the book or reading material in a fluent and expressive manner • A cassette tape player • Earphones, if appropriate Lesson: Give each student a copy of the book. If earphones are appropriate, provide these also. Then, 1. Tell students that as they listen to the material being read, they are to track the print and read along with the tape. 2. Play the tape. Make sure students are following the text as it is being read. Encourage them to note the speed and expression of the reader on the tape. 3. At the end of the selection, discuss the rate and expression of the reader on the tape. If appropriate, play the tape again, specifically noting the times when the reader’s voice changes pitch or intonation. 4. Read the book aloud again as a group without the tape, repeating the rate and expression used on the tape.

Adaptations: Use a tape recording of a student from another group reading in a fluent manner. To extend this lesson, insert a blank tape and have the students read fluently into the tape recorder, to make their own copy of a “book on tape.” Have these tapes available for students to listen to and read along with at other times.