Alternative Text Types to Improve Reading Fluency for Competent to Struggling Readers

This article offers instructional suggestions and strategies based on research and
theoretical literature for developing reading fluency through the use of rhyming
poetry and other texts beyond the narrative and informational texts that have been
traditionally used for reading instruction. Readers’ lack of fluency in reading can
be a monumental impediment to proficiency in good comprehension and overall
reading competency. For all readers it is well established that as they progress in
reading competence their reading ability grows (Stanovich, 1993/1994). This
continued reading success begets continued reading growth; however, many
struggling readers have difficulty in moving to a level of automaticity and fluency
in their reading that enables them to engage in a successful practice. Lack of
practice inhibits their reading comprehension. Readers’ abilities to effectively
comprehend texts are significantly affected by their proficiency in accurate and
automatic word recognition and prosody (May, 1998; Stanovich, 1993/1994;
LaBerge & Samuels, 1974; Schreiber, 1991). Repeated reading practice has been
shown to be a powerful way to improve these important fluency competencies.
Certain texts are particularly well suited for repeated reading that improves both
aspects of fluency.