Fluency and Comprehension

I understand fluency as the ability to recognize words as you read them so as one reads the words they flow as complete sentences. The reader must have an extensive sight vocabulary in order for this process to take place. Just because the reader can read something fluidly and fluently doesn't mean they understand the material they're reading; this is where comprehension comes into play. For example, I could read a whole page of Spanish and be fluent in my reading because I can put the letters together and somewhat memorize what the passage says; after a while I would sound fluent but because I don't speak Spanish, I would have no idea what I read. I can not comprehend what I am reading because I do not understand the meaning behind the words I am reading. The same goes for a reader who is just learning to read in their native language; they may be able to read the words on the page but at the same time, none of the meaning could be being processed. Comprehension is built along with fluency, so that when the word is read the meaning is also processed at the same time so the reading makes sense.

The only reading I ever get to see in my placement happens at two times throughout the day is when my CT reads to the students and when the students are doing their math journals. When my CT reads, she will stop at vocabulary that she knows is new to the students and define it so they can add it to their vocabulary and so they can comprehend what is going on in the story. As for the math journals, I have had students ask me several times to define words for them that are in the directions for the problems. They can read the word just fine, fluently-- such as angle or evaluate-- but don't comprehend what the question is asking them to do because they do not know the meaning behind the word.