In my experiences as a literacy coach, classroom teacher, and literacy specialist, I noticed that my upper elementary kiddos who struggle with reading usually have some similarities. They are typically not fluent readers, and they rely on prior knowledge instead of the information they read. Not all struggling readers have these issues, naturally. :) When I say fluency, I know the picture that pops into the head of many teachers... anxious students, stopwatches, and lists of nonsense words while you tell the kiddos to read as fast as they can! That's not what I mean. I'm not talking about their oral reading fluency - I'm concerned that these kiddos who struggle with reading aren't fluent readers when they read to themselves . Since the best way to become a better reader is to read, and they struggle reading, then reading isn't usually something they are clamoring to do. For months, I have been inspired to create "Practicing Fluency and Compr...
