Helping year 3 DD develop reading fluency and accuracy

[diplodocus]

DD is generally good at reading and got a level 3 in her SATS. She rarely comes across a word she needs to sound out or can't read, but she often makes mistakes with small "joining" words e.g. mixes up there and where etc. and this really affects her fluency, speed and accuracy. This only became noticeable when she started to read denser text eg, around ORT level 10. Her understanding is fine. She's getting quite frustrated as she's not progressing and I think it's putting her off reading a bit (she used to love it). She had mild convergence insufficiency which has mostly resolved with exercises (under the optician) but this doesn't seem to have improved her reading. Has anyone got any tips / ideas or exercises we can do with her? I've tried getting her to put something under the line but this doesn't work as she tends to "read on" with sentences.

Bump anyone?

When she "misreads" a word (which I think is very common btw) what does she do? Does she read on and not notice? Does she instantly notice her mistake and self correct? Does she read on for a bit and realise what she's read makes no sense?

My own Y3 DD does this a lot and she does all of the 3 things. IF she self corrects (whether immediately or after reading on for a bit), I think that's great -it's a trait of a good reader and tbh something I do myself when I'm reading!

If she goes on, realises it makes no sense and can't work out why -she can get frustrated and I will normally point out her mistake and let her carry on. At least this shows she is understanding what she is reading.

If she doesn't notice she's made a mistake I generally let her read on unless what she's read changes the meaning of the sentence (e.g. did for didn't). Sometimes I notice she replaces a word with a synonym - so again showing good understanding of what she is reading. Sometimes the word really isn't that important and she's getting the sense of the story without having to absorb each word (I'm a big skim reader and again this is a trait I see in myself). Sometimes I will ask her to explain what just happened to check she is following! Sometimes she thinks the right word but says the wrong one (iyswim!).

So, after that long waffle, I guess the key is what does DD find frustrating? If she "can" read, the accuracy will come with practice.

One thing to try is to for for slightly simpler text - it may be the volume that is overwhelming.

Thanks - I think it's just the lack of flow she finds frustrating. I also think the lack of progress up the ORT is an issue - her school carry on with reading leveled texts ad infinitum - and she's been on level 12 for ages. She's bored with them, but don't think they'll put her up until she's reading more fluently. Like your DD she will do the first and third of those two things. She'll often read the sentence in a way that's not correct but means the same so I have no concerns with her understanding. Like you I do it a bit myself. Maybe I should only get her to read out loud to us a little and read to herself to take the pressure off?