What is a key component of successfully helping a student improve their reading fluency?

Promoting engagement through enjoyable materials is essential for improving a student's reading fluency because it fosters a positive attitude towards reading. When students find the content engaging and enjoyable, they are more likely to practice consistently and develop a deeper connection with the text. This emotional investment encourages them to read more frequently, which naturally leads to better fluency as they encounter varied vocabulary, sentence structures, and contexts.

Engagement through enjoyable materials also allows students to practice reading aloud in a manner that feels less like a chore and more like a fun activity. This practice is vital for building confidence and proficiency in reading fluency, as students become more comfortable with the rhythm and flow of language. When they enjoy what they are reading, they often invest more effort into their practice, leading to genuine improvement in their skills over time.

In contrast, focusing solely on reading speed does not address comprehension or the joy of reading, which are crucial for developing a lifelong love of literacy. Minimizing reading aloud opportunities can detract from practice that builds fluency, and restricting reading options to only textbooks limits exposure to diverse genres and styles that can enrich a student's reading experience.