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Mrs. Simone Waystack
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Sr. Ellen Foley
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Fluent reading is reading in which words are recognized automatically. Fluency in math refers to the ability to name sums/differences/products/quotients without hesitation. With automatic word recognition, reading becomes faster, smoother, and more expressive, and students can begin to read silently, which is roughly twice as fast as oral reading. But beginning readers usually do not read fluently; reading is often a word-by-word struggle.
Fluency in math refers to the ability to name sums/differences/products/quotients without hesitation. When fact knowledge is automatic, the solving of multi-digit problems is easier and faster for students. In grade two, students begin to memorize math facts. By grade three, students who still struggle with basic facts often encounter more obstacles as the problems get more difficult.
How do we help children struggling with slow, painstaking sounding out and blending or with those who must revert to using counters or fingers to obtain a sum or difference? Support and encourage them. Effort and practice are necessary steps to both types of fluency.
We have two coaches who will address these fluency issues. Both Mrs. Waystack and Sr. Ellen are certified teachers who understand how children learn. They will be working in classrooms (particularly grades 3-4) to improve fluency. They will use a direct approach which involves modeling and practice under time pressure.
We are grateful that we can offer this additional support to our students. Classroom teachers will oversee all support services.
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