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Fluency STRATEGY

Adjust and apply different reading rates to match text

Students read most material at their own consistent rate. They also know when and how to use different speeds based on the types of texts and their purpose for reading.

Get to know this strategy

Definition

Students read most material at their own consistent rate. They also know when and how to use different speeds based on the types of texts and their purpose for reading.

When to teach this strategy

If you see readers who . . .

  • race through reading and don't remember what they read.
  • read so slowly that by the time they finish, they can't remember how the piece started.
  • don't adjust their rate to be faster when they know the content or slower when the information is new.

Why we teach it

Some readers have yet to learn how to adjust their reading rate or are unaware that other readers adjust their rate to match their purpose for reading. Because these readers read everything at the same rate, they struggle to complete and comprehend lengthy text or may miss the nuances of meaning revealed through the appropriate cadence and prosody.

Secret to success

You have to think about the text you are reading and ask yourself, What is my knowledge of this type of text? What do I know about the subject of the text? Then, adjust your reading speed by slowing down for challenging content and speeding up for easier reading.

How we teach it

We typically begin teaching readers about rate by using Carver's (1990) analogy of reading. He compares reading rate to shifting the gears on a car. We explain that the low gears are slow and powerful, whereas higher gears are speedy but are less powerful. Just as we can move faster or more slowly in a car, our reading rate changes according to the purpose for our reading and what we are reading.

When we read, we use

  • first, or the slowest, most powerful gear to memorize material;
  • second gear to learn material;
  • third gear for most of our reading; and
  • fourth gear, our quickest speed, for skimming and scanning.

    • Once readers are aware of reading rates and Carver's analogy, we establish this common class vocabulary to talk about the rate at which we read.

    Suggested language:

    • What might be the rate you use to read this social studies text?
    • Will you change your rate during this reading?
    • What is your typical speed for reading your favorite chapter book?

    Instructional Pivots

    Possible ways to differentiate instruction:

    • We typically think of slow readers as needing to speed up, but it is just as important to help speedsters shift to a slower gear to enhance comprehension.
    • Record students as they read so they can hear their rate, cadence, and prosody.
    • Ask readers to tell you which gear they are using when they read.

    Reconsider materials, setting, instruction, and cognitive processes.

    Partner Strategies

    These strategies may provide support before, during, and after teaching this strategy:

    • Use Punctuation to Enhance Phrasing and Prosody
    • Read Text That Is a Good Fit
    • Read Voraciously
    • Check for Understanding; Monitor and Self-Correct

    Common Core Alignment

    K
    1stRF.1.4
    2ndRL.2.6, RF.2.4
    3rdRF.3.4
    4thRF.4.4
    5thRF.5.4
    6thSL.6.6, SL.6.2
    7th
    8thSL.8.6
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    VIDEOS

    How to introduce this strategy

    From Hadley’s Perspective aka Kid Teacher

    Want to hear about this strategy from a student's perspective? Let Kid Teacher, Miss Hadley, tell you—in her own words—how this strategy helps her grow as a reader. We think it will help your students too!

    ARTICLES

    Articles That Support This Strategy

    Adjusting Reading Rate: Small Group Work

    Intermediate GradesSmall Groups

    In this video, Christie emphasizes the importance of adjusting reading rate to her fourth graders. She emphasizes the importance of the strategy in helping to boost comprehension as well as fluency.

    1

    BOOKS

    Books with Lessons to Help Teach This Strategy

    Each book below has a coordinating lesson with an explicit example to teach this strategy. Select a book cover below, then download the lesson to see for yourself. At The Daily CAFE these were called Lit Lessons.

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