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[Listen Again] Ep. 154: Science of Reading Beyond Phonics Series: Fluency Instructional Routines with Nathaniel Swain

Nov 1, 2024

In this discussion, Nathaniel Swain, a Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University, dives deep into fluency instruction in literacy. He highlights the three core components of fluency: speed, accuracy, and prosody. Swain shares practical classroom strategies like choral and paired reading that engage students effectively. He also explores the impact of technology on literacy, advocating for balance between efficiency and comprehension. Delving into the self-teaching hypothesis, he emphasizes exposing students to challenging texts to enhance their reading confidence.

01:05:22

Episode guests

Nathaniel Swain

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Quick takeaways

Fluency in reading, which encompasses speed, accuracy, and prosody, is essential for students to achieve comprehension and engagement while reading.

Effective strategies such as choral reading, tracked reading, and paired reading are vital in enhancing fluency among students in the classroom.

Selecting the right texts for different grade levels promotes fluency practice, with decodable texts for beginners and authentic texts for advancing readers.

Deep dives

The Importance of Fluency in Reading

Fluency is crucial for effective reading, as it integrates word identification and comprehension. When students read fluently, they can automatically recognize words, which frees up cognitive resources to focus on understanding the text. This enables them to enjoy reading rather than spending all their energy on decoding individual words, thus helping them become more engaged learners. Fluency is seen as a vital component in the balance of phonics instruction and comprehension to ensure students develop a strong reading foundation.

Intro

2min

Mastering Reading Fluency

5min

Enhancing Reading Fluency in the Classroom

34min

Enhancing Fluency Through Innovative Strategies

7min

Innovative Fluency Instruction with Technology and Research-Based Practices

5min

Maximizing Fluency in Literacy Blocks

8min

Effective Fluency Instruction in the Classroom

4min

From July 14, 2023

What if you could unlock the secrets to fluency instruction in literacy, and transform your students into confident and skilled readers? Join us as we delve into this crucial topic with Nathaniel Swain, Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University in Australia, who shares his expertise on the three components of fluency: speed, accuracy, and prosody. Let's explore together how balancing speed with comprehension can make all the difference in today's digital age, where skimming and scrolling are the new norm.

We discuss a variety of practical strategies to help students practice fluency in the classroom, such as choral reading and paired reading. Nathaniel also sheds light on the role of technology in simplifying the process of creating engaging materials. Discover how to create an environment that fosters student engagement and understanding, and learn the differences between fluency instruction in primary and intermediate classes.

Finally, we examine the value of fluency in reading instruction and how it can be integrated into the literacy block. Nathaniel explains the self-teaching hypothesis and emphasizes the importance of exposing students to unfamiliar words and challenging texts. Don't miss this insightful episode packed with tips and strategies to help your students become fluent and confident readers!

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