What Fluency Really Means
* Accuracy: Reading the words correctly, with minimal errors.
* Rate: Reading at an appropriate speed that allows for comprehension.
* Prosody: Reading with expression, intonation, and phrasing that reflects the meaning of the text.
Punctuation and Fluency
* Punctuation is a guide to prosody. It helps us understand where to pause, change our tone, and emphasize certain words. This is crucial for conveying meaning and making the reading engaging.
* Ignoring punctuation can make the reading sound choppy and disjointed. It might be difficult for the listener to follow the thought process and understand the message.
* It can also hinder comprehension. Pausing at commas, periods, and other marks allows the reader to process the information and make connections between ideas.
So, what does this mean for the student?
* It's important to encourage the student to pay attention to punctuation. Explain how it helps them read with expression and understand the text better.
* Work on building the student's prosody. This can be done through activities like:
* Reading aloud with an adult and modeling appropriate pauses and intonation.
* Role-playing different characters and using different voices.
* Focusing on the meaning of the text and how punctuation helps convey it.
Remember: Reading fluency is not just about speed, it's about understanding and conveying the message of the text in a meaningful way.