READ NATURALLY

Goal of the Program:

Read Naturally is a fluency program designed to develop the skills necessary for fluent and effortless reading: speed, accuracy and proper expression. Research indicates that comprehension and fluency are highly correlated.

Grade Level: Grade 2 and above

For 2nd grade students, NWF must be at 50 words. This program is geared for students who can decode and read with an oral fluency level of fifty words per minute and above.

Type of Program:  Supplemental

Instructional Delivery Mode:

A teacher trained in Read Naturally must oversee the program.  Instructional assistants and other trained support staff members can also aid in the implementation of this intervention.

Technology Required:

This program is offered in both an audio-taped version, Read Naturally ME, and in a software version, Read Naturally SE. Individual headphones are necessary for both the cassette recorder and computer versions.  Students also require access to 1 minute timers.

Reading Components Addressed:

Improving reading fluency is the primary purpose of this program however; vocabulary and comprehension are also targeted.

Recommended Instructional Minutes: 

Read Naturally is intended to be implemented a minimum of three, 30-minute sessions each week.                                                           

Overall Design and Instructional Sequence of the Program:

Ideally student, teacher ratio should remain at 6:1 or 12:2. The instructional design is based on 3 powerful strategies: Teacher Modeling, Repeated Reading and Progress Monitoring.

Assessments: Manual or computer-based

• Placement into program is obtained by determining the independent reading level of each student

• Frequency of Progress Monitoring occurs on a graph upon completion of each oral read: 1 “cold read”, 3-5 student reads, and 1 “hot read”.  DIBELS assessment should be used in conjunction with the implementation of Read Naturally.

Professional Development Requirements:

CUSDhas several master trainers available to train selected individuals to implement this program.  Training classes are 90 – 180 minutes in length.  For a fee, Read Naturally offers full-day training.                                        

Who Can Deliver Program:

A teacher, aide, or a member of your support staff who has been trained through CUSD or Read Naturally can facilitate this program.

Strengths of the Program:                               

Progress monitoring drives instructional practice.  Comprehension questions and written retell are apart of every story, reminding students that their ultimate goal is to achieve understanding while they read. Activities are structured so students work in a self-directed manner.  Students are instructionally engaged in the act of reading and their time on task is high.  Students receive valuable 1 on 1 time with teacher. Timed reading and graphing the words correct per minute (wcpm) can be very motivating for students.                                                                                          

Weaknesses of the Program:

Read Naturally is not a comprehensive program.  It is not intended to be used for all students.  Students must read a minimum of 50 words correct per minute.

Cost:

Grade level sets contain 24 high interest passages in text and an audio format (computer/audiotape) for $108. each.  Existing levels for purchase are: .8, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8.