Module 1 - “Watch & Learn: Assessing Reading Skills” Video Response

I remember watching several of these “Reading Rocket” videos when I was pursuing my undergraduate degree at KSU. They do help teachers learn what to look for with students. I have noticed, though, that fluency is an argumentative topic between reading researchers/teachers. In our EDRD 7715, our book and much of our research information, we’re led to believe that reading’s sole purpose is to make sense of the text (comprehension). However, the Stern Center places emphasis solely on fluency. I agree that children who read with a choppy pattern will more than likely have a lower comprehension. Yet, I think if a classroom is based solely on improving a child’s fluency rate, it leads to the students “racing” each other during reading which can also cause confusion. This is why I feel that it is important to find a balance between comprehension and fluency. Many of my students who have a lower reading level are those who struggle with decoding and they are in fact struggling with maintaining comprehension.  This is why I model consistently throughout the day with my read aloud texts during mini lessons, read aloud times, and small group instructions.  I evaluated my students on a regular basis last year with individual conferences and DRA assessments. This year will be a challenge for me since I have 31 students and I will be using a new assessment tool. However, I will continue to assess my students’ fluency and comprehension through conferences and small group instructions (i.e., strategy groups, book clubs, and guided reading groups). I always begin my individual conferences by having the student read to me so I can informally assess the students’ fluency after which I follow-up with a few comprehension questions. We also will be working on Words Their Way spelling which will help with students’ word recognition. My goal this year is to assess all of my students on a regular basis as the video stressed.  Continual assessments will be vital to my small group instructions and reading plans.