About Early Fluent Readers

Early Fluent Readers have developed a strategic processing system that allows them to read for understanding and self-correct when they reach a point of difficulty. Early Fluent Readers are able to take on new texts with more independence. Readers at this level can read longer, more complex texts fluently and, for the most part, with good comprehension and phrasing.

Early Fluent Readers are in between learning how to read and being able to learn from reading. Early Fluent readers recognize that reading has a variety of purposes and reading different kinds of books is enjoyable for distinct reasons. They should be reading both fiction and nonfiction/informational books. Reading informational books provides a different type of literacy benefit to early readers. Reading nonfiction helps young students develop background knowledge, which increases their comprehension ability by enabling them to make sense of new ideas. Additionally, informational texts have the potential to motivate students to read more by tapping into their personal interests. Encouraging students to explore a broad array of informational texts can help them see that the real world is as interesting and amazing as any fictional one. MaryRuth Books offers many fiction and nonfiction/informational leveled readers, suggested and used by Reading Recovery® and Guided Reading educators, when teaching Early Fluent readers.

Characteristics and Abilities of Early Fluent ReadersEmergent Reader with Danny

  • Problem solving and self-correction
  • Taking words apart using large, recognizable units or syllables
  • Reading for longer periods of time while maintaining interest
  • Reading more complex texts
  • Increasing awareness of story structure and meaning
  • Beginning to infer meaning, or make guesses, about the events of a story
  • Increasing control of visual patterns
  • Using context clues to problem solve

Find Texts for Your Early Fluent Reader at MaryRuth Books

The MaryRuth Books collection of children’s books is aimed at helping young readers improve literacy, comprehension, and vocabulary. Shop our books for early fluent readers online now, or contact MaryRuth Books for more information!

Sources:
Fountas, Irene C. and Pinnell, Gay Su. Guided Reading- Good First Teaching for All Children. Heinemann, 1996.