The increase of graphic novels in libraries and schools and on award lists illustrates one way that children's literature is changing. This article explores the relation between words and illustrations in a popular graphic novel. The multimodal format of graphic novels requires readers to consider the words, graphics, panel sizes, and uses of…

The purpose of this article is to highlight the importance of providing reading interventions that are differentiated and aligned with an individual student's most foundational reading skill need. The authors present profiles of different readers and suggest three principal areas for support: decoding words, reading at an appropriate rate, and…

This essay describes the struggle to get one second grade reader who was in need of fluency practice to overcome his resistance to rereading familiar texts. This was done through the use of videos which were sent to parents on a weekly basis after the texts had been practiced several time with an eye toward all aspects of fluency--phrasing,…

This article presents an historical framework of fluency assessment and instruction, while at the same time advocating for a broader definition of fluency itself. Practical suggestions are made that seek to align reading rate and accuracy, alongside expression and comprehension, with the goal of developing "real" readers.

Discusses the concept of reading flexibility; suggests a two-step instructional procedure (termed ReFlex Action) for teaching children to be flexible in reading rate and purpose. (DD)

Questions the usefulness of oral reading for adequately evaluating the progress of a learner, providing valuable practice in reading, or entertaining others. (TO)

Notes that the fluent reader needs rapid perception, the ability to use semantic and syntactic clues, and sophisticated comprehension strategies. (MKM)

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using oral or silent reading rates to evaluate reading ability. Argues that although there are potential problems with measuring reading rates, it can be a useful way of documenting students' progress. (MM)

A deep, developmental construct and definition of fluency, in which fluency and reading comprehension have a reciprocal relationship, is explicated and contrasted with superficial approaches to that construct. The historical development of fluency is outlined, along with conclusions of the U.S. National Reading Panel, to explore why fluency has…

This article explains the elements of reading fluency and ways to assess and teach them. Fluent reading has three elements: accurate reading of connected text, at a conversational rate with appropriate prosody. Word reading accuracy refers to the ability to recognize or decode words correctly. Reading rate refers to both word-level automaticity…

Outlines the use of a reading eye camera in the diagnostic program at the Boorady Reading Center in Dunkirk, New York. (MB)

Offers several strategies for increasing reading rate without descreasing comprehension. (FL)

Argues that reading rate should not be ignored, but rather seen as evidence of excessively slow processing of text, and thus as a diagnostic indicator. Describes how excessively slow, disfluent reading leads to less overall reading, to reading frustration, and is associated with poor comprehension. Describes authentic and engaging instructional…