Standard 2: Reading Foundations

Students will develop foundational skills for future reading success by working with sounds, letters, and text.

FLUENCY: Students will recognize high- frequency words and read grade-level text smoothly and accurately, with expression that connotes comprehension.

Student Actions 

Teacher Actions 

Students will read grade-level text at an appropriate speed with accuracy, expression, and phrasing that suggests comprehension.  

• Teachers model reading smoothly with accuracy, phrasing, and expression.

• Teachers provide students with opportunities to practice reading and rereading for fluency.

• Teachers monitor and provide opportunities for students to receive feedback and interventions as needed as students work on fluency in grade-level texts.

Supporting Resources 

Teacher Insights 

FCRR:  Fluency Phrase Activities (PDF)

FCRR:  Fluency Chunked Text Activities (PDF)

FCRR:  Connected Text Fluency Activities (PDF)

Fluency Norms (webpage)

Reading Rockets: Fluency (webpage)

• Fluent reading involves reading at an adequate rate and reading smoothly and accurately with expression, not just the number of words students can read per minute.

• Reading fluency bridges word recognition and comprehension. It is possible for students to read accurately and fluently but lack comprehension.

• Re-readings of grade-level texts help increase knowledge of high-frequency and sight words, reading rate, accuracy, and expression.

Due to recursive nature of the standards, it is essential that teachers are aware of how all objectives within and between strands work together for optimal instruction.