Post sponsored by LevelUp Reader and written by Emily Nudds, MS.Ed. Literacy
Reading fluency is a crucial skill that combines the ability to read text accurately, quickly, and with expression. For homeschooling families, developing fluency is essential because it enables children to read smoothly and naturally, and directly impacts comprehension skills and academic success.
Reading fluency combines three key elements: accuracy (reading words correctly), automaticity (reading smoothly without hesitation), and prosody (reading with expression and appropriate pacing). When a child reads fluently, they aren’t just decoding words—they understand the material and can communicate its meaning through their tone and pacing.
Measuring fluency can help homeschool parents assess their child’s reading progress. One common method is to track the number of words read correctly per minute (WCPM), using grade-level norms as a benchmark for expected fluency rates. If a child’s WCPM falls below the standard for their level, it may indicate areas where further instruction is needed, such as phonemic awareness, phonics, or prosody. Homeschool parents can use this information to adjust their reading instruction and provide targeted support.
Fluency acts as a bridge between recognizing words and understanding what they mean. Once children become fluent readers, they can focus on comprehension rather than struggling to figure out words.
If your child is struggling with fluency, don’t worry! There are ways to address the issue based on the root cause:
- Decoding Struggles: If they struggle with reading words accurately, targeted phonics instruction can help.
- Slow or Hesitant Reading: If your child reads accurately but slowly, practicing with decodable texts can build automaticity.
- Lack of Expression: If they read without expression, activities such as paired reading, phrasing exercises, and repeated readings with feedback can help.
LevelUp Reader supports all components of reading fluency: accuracy, automaticity, and prosody! It provides comprehensive support for boosting reading fluency through tools such as decodable books, phonics instruction, and over 3,800 authentic texts for different grade levels. It offers a structured and engaging way for children to practice fluency.
Plus, the platform’s Running Records and “Read Aloud” feature allow children to track their progress by recording and reviewing their readings, which fosters self-reflection and enables feedback from parents.
Fluency is a vital skill for academic success. Homeschool parents can ensure their children develop strong fluency skills through consistent, targeted instruction. LevelUp Reader can be a valuable resource in supporting this development by providing structured, engaging tools to help young learners grow into confident, fluent readers.
Join LevelUp Reader and literacy expert Dr. Tim Rasinski for a FREE webinar!
Reading Fluency: The Why and How in a Digital Age
Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 5 PM EDT
Join literacy expert Dr. Tim Rasinski as he shares effective, research-backed strategies for teaching and building reading fluency using print and digital resources. Tim will demonstrate how to seamlessly integrate proven methods with digital supports, offering practical tools and techniques that lead to lasting success.
The post What Is Reading Fluency and Why Is It Important for Homeschoolers? first appeared on Homeschool .com.
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The post What Is Reading Fluency and Why Is It Important for Homeschoolers? first appeared on Homeschool .com.”}]]
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