--- title: Reading practice --- # Reading fluency practice Fluency The fluency practice material can be found under the "LIBRARY" tab in the top menu!   ## Reading fluency practice Instructions for Fluency Training include:   - Reading practice in a large group.  - Reading practice in small groups.  - Individual reading practice. Remember to adjust the instructions to your pupils! ### Reading practice in a large group  #### In preparation for an intensive reading period: 1. Decide during which weeks the intensive reading period will take place.  2. It is important that this period is limited to three weeks in order to keep pupils motivated.  3. When pupils read in pairs, 10-15 minutes is appropriate.  4. Decide when during the day this reading time will best fit in with your regular lessons, and rearrange other activities as needed. 5. Use the insights you get from the Lexplore assessment to pair up pupils at the same reading levels. 6. All pupils will participate in intensive reading in groups, but the teacher should be especially attentive to pupils at lower reading levels to ensure that they feel secure with the exercise and to help them improve their fluency.  7. It may be appropriate to divide the class in half (if possible) for intensive practise so that the teacher is better able to give more feedback to pupils. #### Procedure for an intensive reading period - All pupils can participate in intensive reading with the class, but be especially attentive to pupils at lower reading levels and make sure they feel secure with the exercise and in order to help them improve their reading fluency. - Explain why they are going to be practising reading over the coming weeks. Explain that if they want to be good at football, for example, they would need a lot of practice, and that reading works the same way.  - Ensure that all pupils understand the exercise. Explain that they will be reading in pairs, each pair reading one page before swapping to the other person. - Set a timer and establish a clear beginning and end to the exercise (for example, you might begin by saying “Ready, set, read!”). - Move about the classroom and listen actively as pupils read. Give constructive feedback and tips. End with a round of applause for good reading! ### Reading practice in small groups.  #### In preparation for an intensive reading period. 1. This type of practice in small groups is especially beneficial for pupils with scores in the low and below average range of the Lexplore assessment.  2. Plan for a period of 2-3 weeks for this intervention to take place.  3. Allow 10–15 minutes for reading in pairs.  4. Groups can be between 8-10 pupils.  5. Prepare for the activity by dividing pupils into pairs using the insights from your most recent Lexplore assessment.  6. Be mindful that you may need to make changes to the pairs during the reading period, as pupils may progress at different rates.  #### Procedure for an intensive reading period - Explain that you will read together for about three weeks and for about 10-15 minutes each time. - Explain why they will be practising reading. Explain that if they want to be good at football, for example, they would need a lot of practice, and that reading works the same way. - Explain that you will go through the exercise together first, and then they will work in pairs. - Go through the material and read it aloud together. When modelling the activity, use material at a basic level which is accessible to all pupils.  - Display a fluency book on the Smartboard (for example) and point to each word as you read it aloud and ask if pupils have any questions before working in pairs.   - Then, pupils read aloud for each other in pairs for about 10-15 minutes. They could read a page and then swap or swap after a few sentences. Decide the expectation for this, based on the children’s abilities.  - Set a timer and establish a clear beginning and end to the exercise (for example, you might begin by saying “Ready, set, read!”).  - Move about the classroom and listen actively as pupils read. Give constructive feedback and tips.  End with a round of applause for good reading!  ### Individual reading practice  #### In preparation for an intensive reading period.  1. This activity is especially beneficial for pupils at a low reading level.  2. Plan for a period of 2-3 weeks for this intervention to take place.  3. This activity will involve about 8 minutes individual reading each day.   #### How long should pupils practise each session?   - When pupils sound out nonsense words without hesitating, switching out sounds or skipping over sounds or syllables, it’s time to move on in the book.   - It is possible that a pupil will manage this after one attempt, but it is also possible that it will take several attempts before the pupil is able to read the page with fluency.   - Let the pupil continue reading until you notice that it becomes more difficult, and your assistance is required. #### Instructions for the pupils  - Tell them that you are going to read together.  - Explain to the children why they need to practice reading like this. (Feel free to give examples - if they want to be good at football, they need to practice regularly. It works the same way with reading).  - Have the student read aloud to you, following the text/words with one finger.  - If you notice that it is difficult to get fluency, i.e. that there are gaps between the sounds ("c-h-a-i-r" instead of a "ch-air/chair"), explain that the student must start the engine on the initial sound, and he must not turn it off until the end of the word. Show how it should sound. Remodel this as often as is necessary, until fluency of the word/words is established.  - Start a timer so that you have a clear start and a clear end to the exercise. (For example, "Ready, set, read"). Give the pupil positive feedback before you finish.   ![3 children + desk](https://teaching.lexplore.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pictures%20teacher%20page/3%20children%20+%20desk.png?width=250&height=134&name=3%20children%20+%20desk.png)   --- Back to Lesson plans and exercises