Step 5 Reading with Fluency without Memorizing the Dolch Sight Words
Many programs show the path to reading is through fluency. (They go on to give Dolch sight word lists for the students to memorize so that students can obtain fluency faster. It doesn’t work.) Fluency is defined as reading at about the speed at which you talk. Obviously, your child needs to read out loud to judge if he is reading at the speed at which he talks. If he miss reads a word that word is subtracted. The speed comes from the increased number of recognized words developed from reading. It leads to comprehension by allowing your child to remember the beginning of the sentence by the time he gets to the end. Some reading programs assume comprehension if the child is fluent, but that isn’t wise for three reasons:
First, Dyslexics are seldom fluent, but can have incredible comprehension. Second, hyperlexics are fluent, but don’t understand what they read. Third comprehension depends on visualization and vocabulary. This means understanding the meaning of the words they are reading and creating a movie in your mind that links this movie into a comprehensible picture. Conquer those two things and dyslexics can read comprehensively.
Recognizing the Dolch Sight Words Through Reading Immersion
Previously, we discussed the need for a strong phonics system. Here is where it pays off. A strong phonics system allows Rocket Phonics to immerse the child in reading because he or she can sound out every word. The more often the child sounds out a word the sooner he recognizes it. Because the Dolch words are the most common words in print they gradually get memorized in the context of what he is reading. In order to avoid confusion I call them recognized words rather than sight words.
Whatever you call them the more they have the faster they read. Fluency develops with comprehension. Danny, the boy in the picture, is now the best reader in his class. He no longer needs homework assistance. He just needs a library card. This can be your child too. End the frustration get Rocket Phonics now.