Reading fluency gets a lot of attention in the primary grades. Unfortunately, students in grades 4-8 who still struggle with fluency don't get the attention they need. Many of these students need explicit instruction and meaningful practice for fluency in order to become competent readers.
It's not easy for teachers who work with older students to fit fluency practice into their already tight schedules. Here are a few fluency activities that you can easily work into your day.
Audio-Assisted Reading

This is such an effective way for improving word recognition, as well as building proper phrasing and expression. This is also a great strategy to use in content areas such as science and social studies; often times, publishers include the audio version of the textbook for teachers to use. You can also record your own audio-versions of close reading passages or short stories for your students to use. If you're doing a novel study, check your public library for audio CDs for the title you are using. You can also make a listening center in your classroom using jack extenders, so that multiple students can read along at the same time.
Poetry Performances

Gather a large selection of poems and have your students choose one they would like to practice and eventually "perform". Performances can take the place as simple readings in front of the class, in a small group, or with a partner. Students can also make a PowerPoint presentation that they narrate by reading the poem. Presenting options are endless; the most important thing is to get them reading and rereading the poem in order to improve fluency.


There are several free resources if you're looking for scripts. Dr. Chase Young has written several for younger students, and Aaron Shepard has some great scripts for older students. You can also write your own scripts, or even have your students write their own, based on picture books or a chapter from a novel. BONUS: Aaron Shepard's site has a video of The Chamber Readers reading one of his scripts; what a perfect way to provide a model for your students!
Partner Reading

Students in the pairs will take turns reading the text, by dividing it into paragraphs, subheadings, pages, etc. The students can also read the text simultaneously (choral reading). I really like this strategy for reading within science and social studies books, which can be particularly difficult for students. However, you can use parter reading for any text.
Timed Readings

I have several sets of close reading passages that include a format for timed reading with step-by-step instructions HERE.