Fluency serves as the critical bridge between accurate word reading and deep comprehension, so how can we build it? In this episode, Michelle sits down with literacy scholar, author, and educator, Dr. Chase Young shares what fluency really is, why it matters, and how teachers can transform fluency instruction from repetitive practice into engaging, meaningful learning experiences.

Chase shares the research behind performance-based fluency instruction, including Reader’s Theater, Poetry Slams, Teddy Talks, and his evidence-based intervention framework, Read Like Us. We discuss how fluency supports comprehension, why repeated reading works, and how teachers can create classrooms where students want to practice reading.

Key Takeaways:

• What reading fluency actually is (and what it isn't)
• Performance-based fluency instruction and the research behind it (like Reader’s Theater, Poetry Slams, and Teddy Talks)
• The importance of complex texts during fluency instruction
• The Read Like Us intervention framework
• Ways to make fluency instruction engaging, authentic, and joyful

Helpful Resources

• Resources from Podcast
• Reader’s Theatre Scripts (The Best Class)
• Professional Development
• Parent Resources
• Research Article: Read Like Me: An Intervention for Struggling Readers (Chase Young, Stacey Lagrone, Joyce K. McCauley)
• Research Article: Promoting Fluency Through Challenge: Repeated Reading with Texts of Varying Complexity (Jake Downs, Chase Young, Alycia Cole)
• Research Article: Promoting Reading Accuracy and Fluency Outcomes with Complex Texts: A Grade 3 Intervention Comparison (Jake Downs, Elfrieda Hiebert, Kristen Conradi Smith, Katie Martz)

Connect with Dr. Chase Young:

• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn
• X: @ChaseJYoung1
• Website: https://www.thebestclass.org/
• Website: http://www.literacylive.org

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