Fluency is a big focus of Second Grade reading. Fluency is the smoothness and flow of a child's reading. This is based upon how many correct words are read per minute. The second grade goal should be somewhere around 60-90 words per minute (wpm). My goal, for my students, is for their Fluency Score to progress over time. This is what I share with them and I hope that you will too. Don't give them a number to reach, just assure them that with practice and focus, their fluency will improve. I will send home these scores so that you can keep track of how your student's fluency is improving. Keep in mind that it is based upon correct words read per minute. It is NOT a race and the words should be heard clearly. Some ways that we practice our fluency at school that you can do at home with your child are:
- I read, you read: You model reading a sentence, paragraph or page and have your child repeat the same sentence, paragraph, or page.
- Choral Reading: Read a sentence, paragraph, or page along with your child.
- Listen and Read Along Books: I have links on our classroom page of many books that read aloud. Students should read along with it so they get a feel of what fluency feels and sounds like. Go to Student Links and click on Reading. If you have an Ipad, or another device similar there are MANY free downloadable book apps out there that your student can read along to.
This is something we use when reading with a partner during Readers' Workshop. When your child gets stuck on a word ask them, "Coaching or Time?" If they respond Time, count to 5 so they have time to figure it out on their own. After 5 seconds, ask them again. If they respond with Time more than twice, it is time to start "Coaching." Here are some coaching strategies to guide your student to figuring out the word:
- What strategy have you used?
- Go Back and Reread.
- Skip the word and come back.
- Chunk sounds together.
- What word could fit here?
- Look at the pictures.
- I am going to sound this word out with you.
- I am going to tell you the word.
Timed Addition Tests
We started our Timed Addition tests last week. These will be done on a weekly basis. I told students that this first test is their "Baseline or Starting Score." From here, the scores should improve each week even if by one more fact! Fact Triangles were sent home this past week for your second grader to practice at home and more will be coming home later this week.
Daily 5
We are finishing up our slow transition into Daily 5 practice during Readers' Workshop. The Daily 5 choices are Read to Self, Work on Writing, Read to Someone, Word Work and Listen to Reading. This week, we will begin to practice Listen to Reading. We have Netbooks, CD/Tape Player, and portable Tape Players. So far, we are doing wonderfully with Daily 5 and know that all of these choices are helping us to become better Readers, Writers and Spellers! Ask your Second Grader to explain to you what each of these are and what they do for them :)
Have a great week!