Building Fluency by Re-reading

The following post is from Becky of This Reading Mama

My son is learning to read music as he plays the piano. While listening to him practice, I am reminded of a simple truth that relates to reading in such a profound way: Beautiful music does not occur the first time (or even second time) a musician practices a piece of music.

My background is in music. My undergraduate degree is in music. I have taught it for years. I have played it and sung it for years. Believe me when I say that when a musician first looks at a piece of music that is challenging, yet appropriate for him, he first looks at the technical side. What are the notes? How do I tackle that tricky part? How do I pronounce the words, especially if it is in a foreign language? Any music teacher would be foolish to give a student a piece of challenging music and ask the student to use the correct phrasing or show the emotion of the character as he sings the words upon the first run through. The student’s brain is too focused on technical side to make it anything more.

Reading is the same way. When we first give our readers a text to read that is challenging, yet appropriate for him, he first looks at the technical side. What are these words? What does this chart say? Most readers (there are exceptions) are not ready to be judged on fluency upon the first (or even second) reading. We must give reader opportunities to re-read. Building fluency by re-reading is key for any reader when we are choosing “just right” texts that challenge them to grow as readers.

Ideas for Re-Reading Text

• Read some funny poetry and re-read it in different voices
• Read the instructions to a game. Re-read for clarity as rules need to be understood.
• Re-read the dialogue between two characters. How would they say this?
• Create a bin where you place texts that kids have read. Allow your child time to re-read old favorites. If the texts are library books that must be returned, keep track of favorite titles. Check them out again so your child can re-read them.
• You can find more ideas in my post on re-reading for fluency.

What Does a “Just Right” Text Look Like?

It is important that we provide “just right” texts. These texts are challenging, yet appropriate for the child. But what does that look like? Kids need to be able to read about 95% of the words without help and be able to comprehend most of it (at least 75%) without help as well. “Just right” texts are used with an adult the first (and even second) time through. The adult provides the support needed. These texts provide the opportunity for the child to learn a new comprehension strategy or word strategy for figuring out unknown words.

You can read more about “just right” texts in my new ebook: How to Choose “Just Right” Books: Helping Kids Grow as Readers. Click HERE or on the image to read more about it.

What are some ways that you use re-reading to help your child “make beautiful music” as he reads?

	Becky Spence is a homeschooling mama to four little blessings who keep her on her feet {and knees}. She is passionate about teaching, specifically literacy. She is the author of This Reading Mama, where she shares reading and writing activities and tips as well as free literacy curricula and printables. You can connect with her on Google +, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter.