What is Fluency in Reading?
How can fluency be developed using singing?
Reading fluency can be enhanced in nearly any subject by incorporating singing. Click here to view an excerpt of a social studies teacher singing, Meet Me in St. Louis, with her middle school class to help them learn about the time period while students sing their way to fluency.
Fluency can be simply defined as an individual's ability to read with good pacing and clarity. A fluent reader is someone who reads more like the way they speak in conversation. Fluency "describe's one's ability to read accurately, at an appropriate rate, using expression". (Miller & Veatch, 2011, p. 36) One who is fluent can read without the interruptions often caused by the mechanics of a language. "Fluency is defined as the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression. In order to understand what they read, children must be able to read fluently whether they are reading aloud or silently. When reading aloud, fluent readers read in phrases and add intonation appropriately. Their reading is smooth and has expression." ("Fluency | Reading Rockets," n.d.)
Reading vocal music can help students develop fluency, since many of the same elements involved in reading music are found in reading a language. Specifically, fluency is determined by rate, accuracy, and prosidy. The tempo, or rate of speed, must be appropriate for the song or text. Clarity of tone and diction leads to improved accuracy. Phrasing, which incorporates the natural stress or accents found in the text, is affected by the tone of the voice and the natural rise and fall a singer or speaker uses to express the meaning of the words.
Throughout this website, I will share specific examples and strategies that can be used within a middle school choral rehearsal to build reading fluency through music notation or texts in English or modern and classical languages.
The Common Core State Standards for Listening and Speaking include references to fluency in the area of Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas which a vocal music curriculum can integrate. Note the similar language between Grades 6, 7, & 8:
8th Grade
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.4
Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.6
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grade 8 Language standards 1 and 3 herefor specific expectations.)
7th Grade
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.4
Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.6
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grade 7 Language standards 1 and 3 herefor specific expectations.)
6th Grade
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.4
Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.6
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grade 6 Language standards 1 and 3 for specific expectations.)
References and Resources for this page:
Defining Fluency | Scholastic.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/defining-fluency
English Language Arts Standards » Reading: Foundational Skills » Grade 6-8. (n.d.). Retrieved July 13, 2015, from
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/SL/8
Fluency | Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.readingrockets.org/helping/target/fluency
Key Literacy Component: Fluency | Adolescent Literacy Topics A-Z | AdLit.org. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.adlit.org/article/27878/
Miller, M., & Veatch, N. (2011). Literacy in context (LinC): Choosing instructional strategies to teach reading in content areas for students grades 5-12. Boston: Pearson.
Using Music to Improve Reading Fluency | Scholastic.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2012/12/using-music-improve-reading-fluency
Defining Fluency | Scholastic.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/defining-fluency
English Language Arts Standards » Reading: Foundational Skills » Grade 6-8. (n.d.). Retrieved July 13, 2015, from
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/SL/8
Fluency | Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.readingrockets.org/helping/target/fluency
Key Literacy Component: Fluency | Adolescent Literacy Topics A-Z | AdLit.org. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.adlit.org/article/27878/
Miller, M., & Veatch, N. (2011). Literacy in context (LinC): Choosing instructional strategies to teach reading in content areas for students grades 5-12. Boston: Pearson.
Using Music to Improve Reading Fluency | Scholastic.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2012/12/using-music-improve-reading-fluency