Read voraciously

If you see readers who . . .

• need practice reading high frequency words embedded in text.
• understand how to decode, but need more practice doing so fluently.
• aren't confident in their ability to decode quickly, on the run.
• need lots of experience with high-frequency and sight words.

Readers need an enormous amount of time engaged in successful, accurate reading to become proficient at decoding quickly with flexibility and automaticity.

You must choose to read books that are a good fit and decide to stick with reading. The only way to get better at reading is to spend lots of time practicing reading.

Reading voraciously is found under each goal area on the CAFE Menu. The same principles for teaching this strategy hold true in all goal areas. In this case readers need to spend a tremendous amount of time reading to increase their reading accuracy. Our language for introducing Read Voraciously changes slightly, depending on the goal.

Create a whole class of students who are motivated to read by

• reading to the class each and every day from a wide variety of materials, modeling a love of reading and a love for words;
• providing time each day for children to read high-interest material of their choice;
• providing ongoing support, matching readers to texts based on interest and ability;
• providing a wide range of reading material that is of interest to all your students; and
• sharing books you are reading and explaining how they help you read accurately.

Suggested language:

• We all want to be voracious readers who understand what we are reading.
• We read voraciously because it is the best way to become a better reader.
• What are you doing to read voraciously?

Possible ways to differentiate instruction:

• In school and classroom libraries, maintain current copies of a wide range and variety of reading materials for readers to choose.
• Check in with readers often to monitor the constant consumption of reading material, their ability to read the words of the text, and their understanding of what they are reading.
• Engage in a conversation explaining the importance of choosing good-fit books that help readers with their accuracy. You will have time each day to read. I noticed that you are choosing books that are too hard for you to read. You are not able to practice your comprehension, because you are spending so much time sounding words out and trying to figure out what the words mean. Let's work together today to find a book that is a good fit for you. Then you will be able to practice reading smoothly and with expression, understand what you are reading, and ultimately improve your reading.

Reconsider materials, setting, instruction, and cognitive processes.

These strategies may provide support before, during, and after teaching this strategy:

• Set a Purpose for Reading
• Look Carefully at Letters and Words
• Read Text That Is a Good Fit
• Tune In to Interesting Words
• Read the Whole Time
• Ignore Distractions
• Persevere