Question

A first-grade teacher administers middle-of-year benchmark assessments in phonemic awareness, word reading, oral reading fluency, and comprehension. One group of students performs at the 50th percentile benchmark in oral reading fluency, with an accuracy rate of less than 90%. Which of the following instructional strategies would be most effective for the teacher to use to address the assessed needs of these students in reading fluency?

A- meeting with the students on a weekly basis to assess their oral reading fluency and record their progress on a student-friendly chart.
B- reteaching the students' grade-level decoding skills and high-frequency words that they lack based on the results of the word-reading benchmark assessments.
C- having the students practice reading in pairs, taking turns reading a grade-level text aloud and asking and answering comprehension questions about the text.
D- providing the students with texts at their independent reading level to read and reread with proper intonation and expression.

Answer 1

To improve first-grade students' oral reading fluency, using texts at their independent reading level, focusing on decoding skills and high-frequency words, engaging in pair reading for fluency and comprehension, and conducting regular progress assessments with a student-friendly chart is recommended.

Step-by-step explanation:

Most Effective Instructional Strategies for Enhancing Oral Reading Fluency

To address the needs of first-grade students performing at the 50th percentile in oral reading fluency, with an accuracy rate of less than 90%, the most effective instructional strategy is likely to be providing the students with texts at their independent reading level to read and reread with proper intonation and expression. This practice not only supports the development of fluency but also fosters confidence and comfort with reading aloud.

Direct instruction on decoding skills and high-frequency words would also be beneficial. Focusing on specific grade-level decoding skills and frequently encountered words can help resolve any foundational gaps that might be impeding fluency. Instruction and repeated practice lend themselves to greater fluency - when students are more easily able to recognize words and decode them efficiently, they are better able to read aloud fluently.

Additionally, implementing opportunities for the students to read in pairs can be valuable. By practicing reading with a peer, students can enhance their fluency while also working on their comprehension through discussion and questioning. In this collaborative setting, they can learn from each other and practice the rhythmic and expressive components of reading that are crucial for fluency.

Regular assessments, such as weekly fluency checks, provide ongoing feedback for both students and teachers. By charting progress on a student-friendly chart, students become more engaged in their learning and can clearly see their improvements over time, which can be highly motivating.