FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which activity would most help young students improve reading fluency?

1. Independent reading sessions

2. Reading logs

3. Readers theater

4. Silent reading

The correct answer is: Readers theater

Readers theater is an engaging activity that significantly enhances reading fluency among young students. This practice involves students performing a script derived from a book or story, allowing them to read aloud in a supportive environment. By participating in readers theater, students have the opportunity to practice their reading skills multiple times, which helps build confidence and familiarity with the text. This repetitive practice is crucial for improving fluency, as it encourages smooth, expressive reading and aids in the development of prosody, or the rhythm and intonation of spoken language. Additionally, readers theater fosters collaboration and communication among students, as they work together to present a cohesive performance. This social aspect can further motivate students to engage with the text and take ownership of their reading. As a result, their overall fluency improves through the combination of practice, engagement, and the dynamic nature of the activity. While independent reading sessions and silent reading are beneficial for developing comprehension and fostering a love for reading, they may not provide the same level of interactive practice that readers theater does. Reading logs can promote accountability but lack the immediate practice and collaborative support that reading scripts in a performance context offers. Therefore, readers theater stands out as the most effective activity for enhancing reading fluency among young students.