Say: "In order to become the very best readers, we need to learn how to read fluently! Reading Fluently is when you can read words super quick without having to sound out each word. When you become a fluent reader, you will be able to enjoy the book you are reading because you can understand the story and not get stuck on each word.  

(Write the passage on the board for everyone to see and point to the words you are reading as you are reading it). "I am going to let you listen to me read a short passage from todays book two times. When I am done, I want you to tell me which one was easier to understand. "ttt-oh-d-aayyy, tah-day, today w-aaah-s, oh was m-y, my ff-iiih-rrr-st, f-ih-rst, first d-ay, day oh-f, of sss-cc-hh-oo-l, s-col, school. hmmm. That was hard to understand, wasn't it? It took me so long to sound out the words, I forgot the words I already said! Let me try reading this again like a fluent reader (read smoothly). "Today was my first day of school." Which one was easier to understand? (Look for a show of hands). That's right! the second one was way easier to understand because I didn't have to stop so long on every word! That's why it is important we can learn to be fluent readers!"

"Sometimes when I come across a tricky word, I need to ask for help from a friend. This is our friend, Mr. Coverup Critter. When we have trouble with a word, Coverup Critter is here to help! Let me show you how Coverup Critter can help you read a tricky word. (write the word ride on the board). I like to start with the vowel and cover up our other letters. First, lets remember our sneaky e at the end of the word! Our vowel is i, but what does that sneaky e do to our i? It makes it say its name /I/! Now that we know our vowel says /I/ lets uncover the letter before it. This time it is the letter r. So lets put it together: /r/ /I/. Now lets uncover the rest of the letters. We have a d and an e left, but remember that the e is silent, so all we have left is /d/. Now lets put it all together, /r/ /I/ /d/. That spells ride! Thank you coverup critter!"

Now give book talk. Say "This is Junie B. Jones. It is her first day of kindergarten, do you remember your first day of kindergarten? Junie B.'s mom just told her she has to ride this weird thing called the "bus". Junie B. does not like the sound of that! What do you think will happen? Do you think she will get on the bus?" 

(have the directions on the board for students to look at) Say: Today we are going to partner up with our reading buddies, and guess what? I want you to be the teacher today. I am going to give each of you a copy of todays book, a stopwatch, a fluency checklist, and a reading time sheet. I want you and your buddy to take turns being the teacher and the student. The student will read the first chapter out loud to their buddy. The "teacher" is going to time you on how fast you can read the chapter. When they finish the chapter, stop the timer and write down their time. I want you to listen close for any mistakes they make. For every word they miss, make a tally (show how you want them to tally it up.) After you finish the chapter and write down what you are supposed to, I want you to switch roles. Do this 3 times each."

Walk around the classroom to make sure they are completing the task correctly. When you notice a group is finished with the task, give them a reading comprehension worksheet.