[MOSAIC] Fluency vs comprehension

[Bonita]

Some children read more slowly in their heads, but I would venture to say this is rare.  Sight reading is a much quicker process than vocalization--just as cursive writing is quicker than printing.  These processes are only slower when a student has not reached the level to write in cursive comfortably or read silently comfortably, or when some other issue is at play.  It is one of the reasons I believe oral fluency tests should end at a certain level.  How many adults read their reading material aloud? We don't because it is expedient to read silently (and maybe less embarrrassing in public:) ).  I know many students who cannot comprehend their reading when they are asked to read aloud.  As soon as I allow the silent option--they read fine.  I also know people who can fluently read a foreign language silently, though they cannot speak it. I try to keep it in mind that it is different for different children.

Bonita
California