Fluency
Fluency is the ability to read text accurately and smoothly. When fluent readers read aloud, their expression, intonation, and pacing sound natural much like speaking. Fluency bridges word recognition (vocabulary) and comprehension. It allows students to make connections between their own background knowledge and what the text is saying. This enables the reader to concentrate and comprehend.
4 Main components of fluency
- Rate- speed which student reads (WPM)
- Accuracy- correctly identifying and reading words on the page
- Prosody- How the student reads with expression, tone, etc.
- Automaticity- fast, effortless word recognition
Fluency contributes to three critical areas of learning outcomes.
1.Retention - the ability to recall knowledge long after the teaching has ended
2.Stamina - the ability to read for extended periods of time
3.Generalization - the ability to combine and apply what has been learned
Fluency Interventions
Model reading fluency
Teach sight words
Line tracking - have students use a finger or notecard under each line they read
Repeated readings
Build background knowledge
Preview and pre-teach vocabulary
Reader’s Theaters
Paired reading
Vocabulary definition
Vocabulary refers to all of the words in our language, and one must know words to communicate.
Comprehension definition
Comprehension is the ability to determine the meaning of the text.
Fluency instructional strategies-6
- Repeated reading- model reading fluently, have student read aloud, correct and have them read 3-4 more times
- Partner reading- partner a more fluent reader with a less fluent reader. fluent reader reads aloud and less fluent follows along then they switch
- Choral reading- teacher models and students follow along. Reread out loud with students. Read together 3-4 more times
- Reader’s theater- student’s practice by undertaking repeated readings before performance
- Echo reading- teacher models reading and then student echos the text by reading exactly how teacher said it
- Phrase cued reading- teacher marks sentences and phrases and models reading. Students focus on tone and read until they don’t need marks
Homographs, Homonyms, and Homophones
Homographs- same writing
Homophones- same sound
Homonyms- same writing and sound
Contractions definition
Contractions: Contractions are two shortened words put together in which an apostrophe takes the place of the missing letters.
have not → haven’t (the o is replaced by the ’)
Students can use their knowledge of the _______- _______ connection in order to be able to spell words correctly.
phoneme-grapheme
Basic spelling rules: 6 rules
- “I” before “E” except after “C”
field, receive - Change the “Y” to an “I” before adding a suffix
happy → happier
- Add “es” to letters s, x, z, sh and ch
watch → watches
- Double the final consonant when a word has one short vowel and one final consonant
hop → hopped
- Drop the “E” before adding a suffix
care → caring
- Add an apostrophe where the letter is removed
you are → you’re
3 Tiers in Vocab
Tier 1-conversational words used in everyday speech, acquired naturally
Tier 2- academic, found in written texts, appear in variety of subjects, most vocab instruction occurs here
Tier 3- domain specific, apply to specific area or content, not frequent, taught when necessary
3 Vocab Tiers Instructional Strategies
Tier 1- conversations, print rich environment, expose to variety of learning opportunities and texts
Tier 2-Explicit vocab instruction, provide definition and examples, reinforce exposure through conversation, games, activities and writing
Tier 3-taught in moment when it appears in the text, provide scaffold support
____________ is key for studying vocab.
Ways to study vocab with activities
Repetition
Etymology, Frayer Model, KIM strategy, Vocab sort, Semantic mapping, word wall
Etymology
etymology looks specifically at the origin of root words. The etymology provides a context to which students can connect meaning. Etymology can be learned through rote memorization, repetition, and recall.
Frayer Model
Students will determine the definition, facts or characteristics, and then examples and non-examples.
KIM Strategy
Keyword, Information about the word, and a Memory Clue to help remember the word.
Semantic mapping
Semantic mapping is a graphic organizer used to visually map or web the connections between words or concepts. The keyword goes in the middle of the web with categories of connected words and phrasing stemming from the word. Specific examples or other connected words and concepts are then stemming out from the secondary set of words.
word walls
Word walls are an area in the classroom where students can refer back to new vocabulary words learned. The words should be easily visible and accessible so that students can utilize the resource in both their speaking and writing.
Steps:
Brainstorming around ind. topic
Discuss words in a group
Write each word on an index card
Sort the words that are the same into piles
Alphabetize
Hang them under the correct letter on the wall
Interpretive vs Expressive language
Interpretive language is the ability to understand language and spoken words.
Interpretive Language: receiving information (reading, listening)
Expressive/Productive Language: producing information (speaking, writing)
Expressive language refers to spoken and signed language. It involves forming sentences, using grammar correctly, and building vocabulary to communicate with others. Children often express themselves with words or gestures.
_________ __________ is a skill that develops over time. _______ __________ development begins as early as six months and continues to develop for many years.
Oral language
First language
6 stages of language development
- Prelinguistic- cooing and crying
- Babbling- syllable repetition and hand gestures
- First words- one word= one sentence, speak first words, holophrastic
- Two words-50+ words, context clues important, increased sounds
- Telegraphic stage- stringing words together, speaks in short messages
- Beyond Telegraphic- fully developed language skills
Second Language Acquisition stages: 6
- Preproduction- silent period
- Early production- short words and sentences, many errors
- Speech Emergent- speech more frequent, more complex words, dependent on context clues and familiar clues
- Beginning fluency- social language more fluent, academic language and unfamiliar topics are difficult
- Intermediate fluency- fluent in social contexts, near fluency in academic and specific topics, gaps in higher vocab
- Advanced fluency- fluent
EDL Framework- 4
4 big ideas
1. Equity of opportunity and access
2. Integration of content and language
3. Collaboration with stakeholders
4. Functional approach to language development
