“Read naturally”: A strategy to increase oral reading fluency

Abstract

Reading fluency is a key skill of effective readers. The speed and effortlessness with which readers process text is highly correlated with comprehension. Optimal levels of oral reading fluency and typical rates of improvement in fluency have been determined. Research findings support instructional methods for increasing reading fluency: hearing fluent reading modeled, repeated readings, and progress monitoring. “Read Naturally” (RN) combines these three methods into a four‐step strategy that has been used with remedial and special education students at elementary and middle schools. A description of RN procedures are presented along with data collected from classroom implementations.