Recording Reading Fluency

As teachers of reading, we know that fluency is necessary for students to be successful.  What we often overlook are the students that know they are not fluent, but are not sure where to go from there.  


Using iPods with microphones, or a free program like Audacity, students can record and then listen to themselves read.  Once they get over the uncomfortable part of listening to themselves read, they can evaluate their reading specifically.  Are they too fast or too slow?  Are they choppy, or monotone?  They are able to answer those questions on their own!


Having students fill out a fluency checklist, or self-assessment on how they sounded allows them adequate reflection time.  It also preserves a record of their reading, both for you and the student.  These can be played at the end of the year, in conferences, or even passed on to future teachers of that student.


**Tip: Explain to students that they are not getting graded on their recording.  This will help them be more honest in their reflections, and not as nervous when recording.  


**Tip: Have students record twice-- one time cold, without having looked at the passage beforehand, and another time after practicing the passage.  Compare the differences!


**Tip: Make sure students have passages at the appropriate reading level!  (generally, their independent or instructional level)