Fluency in reading and speaking is a cornerstone of effective communication and a critical skill for academic success. In middle school, where students transition from learning to read to reading to learn, fluency becomes more important than ever.

At this pivotal stage, students are exposed to increasingly complex texts and ideas, and their ability to comprehend, analyze, and engage with the content in every single subject hinges on their fluency skills. Yet, fluency is often overlooked and even dropped completely for various reasons.

Teachers may overlook fluency instruction and practice for several reasons. One primary factor is time. We simply don’t have enough time for everything and with limited time and resources, educators feel pressured to focus on skills that are directly assessed on state tests, inadvertently sidelining fluency.

Additionally, there may be a misconception that fluency is only relevant in the early stages of reading development, leading to the belief that middle school students have already mastered it. I cannot stress to you enough that this is not the case. They MAY BE fluent at reading elementary level texts but the texts they are reading in middle school are infinitely more complex and they need just as much fluency practice with the more complex texts.

Many teachers are also hesitant to ask students to read aloud in class due to a range of concerns. One common fear is that reading aloud can put students on the spot, causing anxiety and embarrassment. This is especially true for those who struggle with reading or are not confident in their skills. The discomfort that students have with reading out loud can lead to negative experiences and reduce students’ willingness to participate, damaging their self-esteem and relationship with reading as a whole.

Lastly, a lack of professional development and training on effective fluency strategies can leave teachers feeling unprepared to incorporate fluency practice into their lessons, further contributing to its neglect in the classroom.

So what can middle school teachers do?

Reader’s Theater

Reader’s Theater is a super fun activity where students perform a short script. The best part, though, is that they do it without memorizing. It emphasizes reading with expression, intonation, and appropriate pacing, making it the perfect way to practice fluency. Students take on different roles, which aids in collaborative learning and helps them understand the importance of tone and expression in conveying the meaning of the story. They get to practice expressing their emotions, something that they are usually pretty good at, but with someone else’s words.

Try searching on Teachers Pay Teachers for a Reader’s Theater script related to your topic, my friend Kara @rileyreadsya has several! Or ask an AI Chat bot to write one for you. Obviously, check it out – THOROUGHLY – before giving it to students, but seriously, give it a try and see what happens.

Paired Reading

In paired reading, students are grouped in pairs to take turns reading aloud to each other. This technique allows for peer feedback and support, as more fluent readers can model good reading habits for less fluent peers. It also encourages listening and comprehension, as students are often asked to discuss what they read together, reinforcing understanding and fluency. I have a free explanation on Teachers Pay Teachers but it is pretty straightforward.

You can use whatever you’re reading in class by simply breaking it up into two sections. One partner reads the first section and answers questions, while the other partner writes. Then their roles reverse.

Or you can use a fluency passage specifically designed for paired reading — take a look at these fluency passages that offer book recommendations too! I’ve got some for Back to School season, Hispanic Heritage Month and Black History Month. Make sure you’re on my email list to get updates about new bundles. =)

Choral Reading

Choral reading involves the whole class or groups of students reading a text aloud together. This approach allows students to practice fluency in a supportive environment where they can hear fluent reading modeled by their peers and the teacher. It helps build confidence, reduces anxiety associated with reading aloud, and enables students to focus on expression and pacing without the pressure of individual performance.

Try using a short excerpt of the text that you’re reading as a class. Pick out a dramatic or intense paragraph, monologue or two person conversation and have students read it out loud to each other. It will be fun!

Using Audiobooks and Presentations

Using audiobooks allows students to listen to fluent reading models, helping them internalize proper pacing, intonation, and expression. Teachers can also assign oral presentations, where students prepare and present a short speech or report on a topic of interest. This activity not only encourages fluency in reading but also develops public speaking skills, as students practice delivering their thoughts clearly and confidently.

Audiobooks are best utilized when the students can see the words as well as hear them, though, in my opinion. For that reason, I always recommend that my students listen AND look at a book they are reading via audio. And when we listen to audiobooks as a class, my students always have a paper copy.

Pro-tip! Give them a fun book mark to use as a line guide for following along with the audio in their hard copy of whatever you’re reading. Engagement ALWAYS goes up when I make this a priority.

One more important note about fluency practice: students will not be successful at building their fluency when they struggle through a text that is beyond them. Fluency is something that has to be built from where they’re currently able to read.

Incorporating fluency instruction and practice into the middle school curriculum is crucial for fostering students’ overall reading and communication skills. Fluency is not just about reading quickly; it includes accuracy, expressiveness, and comprehensible reading that allows students to fully engage with and understand the material.

As students become more fluent readers, they gain confidence, improve their comprehension, and enhance their ability to express themselves both orally and in writing. By prioritizing fluency, teachers can help students build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and effective communication.