Fluency for 2nd Grade

What is Fluency?

Children reading a book.

Fluency is the ability to read accurately with reasonable speed and expression while understanding what is read.

In 2nd grade, readers should be able to read the same way that they talk, easily using expression and accurate language.

What Does it Look Like?

What does a 2nd grade fluent reader look like?

What is reading fluency?

Practice Activities

Echo Reading: Model expression while reading to the child. Then, have the child read the same sentence or phrase fluently.  Watch Echo Reading.

Two to Read: Take turns reading a sentence, paragraph, or page at a time while listening to each other.

Coach to Fluent Reading: Draw attention to punctuation while reading and have the child reread to increase fluency after discussing the punctuation.  Watch Coach to Fluent Reading.

Self-Correct: Give the child time to work through challenging words and self-correct.  Watch Self-Correct.

Practice Activities (with Printables)

If you don't have a printer, your child's school will print these for you.

Fluent Phrases: Have the child build fluency by reading phrases that build to complete sentences.  Fluent Phrases

Word Family Zoom: Time the child reading words grouped by word family. Record how long it takes each time with a goal to increase speed and accuracy.  Word Family Zoom

Fast Phrases: Stack cards with printed phrases face down. With a phrases correct per minute sheet, record how many phrases are read correctly with a goal to increase speed and accuracy.  Fast Phrases

Rapid Read: Take turns reading paragraphs after reading the word list for a specific passage.  Rapid Read

Online Activities

Models of Fluent Reading: This resource provides access to many illustrated read alouds narrated by famous individuals. These stories provide children with models of fluent reading.

Echo Reading: This resource provides books to practice echo reading with your child to build fluency. Each book has a speaker symbol at the bottom of the page. Push the speaker for the child to hear the page read aloud. Then, have the child echo the reading to practice reading with expression as if they were talking to someone.

Read Fluency Passages: This resource contains passages the child can use to practice reading with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression. Each passage can be read more than once to improve oral reading fluency. Passages can be read online by clicking preview or printed by downloading.