4 Books That Will Change How You Teach Fluency

Hi Teacher Friend! 

Knowing how to teach fluency takes more than just a text and a timer. When I gave my students timers, they wanted to read as fast as they could! But fluency is so much more than reading fast—it's about accuracy, rate, and expression. 

Whether you're working with emerging readers or supporting upper elementary (or even older) students who still need fluency practice, these four books are a go-to for fluency instruction. These books will give you structured routines and fun, ready-to-use activities for fluency in your classroom!

Reading Fluency: Understand – Assess – Teach

by Jan Hasbrouck and Deborah Glaser

This professional learning guide is a great resource for educators who want to deepen their understanding of fluency —and the best part? It’s clear, practical, and totally approachable! Jan Hasbrouck and Deb Glaser clearly define fluency—digging into what “appropriate rate” and “suitable expression” really mean (spoiler: fast reading isn’t fluent reading!).

The book connects the dots between decoding, fluency, and comprehension, showing how fluency is the essential thread that ties it all together. With practical fluency assessment tools, real classroom examples, and clear next steps based on student needs, this guide helps teachers confidently choose texts and support their students to become fluent readers.

If you want to learn more about what the research says about fluency, check out our podcast episode with Jan Hasbrouck.

The Megabook of Fluency, 2nd Edition: Strategies and Texts to Engage All Readers
by Timothy Rasinski and Melissa Cheesman Smith

This super-practical, newly updated, activity-packed book is a must-have for any elementary teacher! It starts with a clear, teacher-friendly overview of what fluency is, why it matters, and how to assess it effectively.

But most of the book is filled with TONS of ready-to-use fluency activities—each with step-by-step directions and printable texts. From poems and songs to partner reading and choral activities, it’s all about making fluency fun, expressive, and social! You'll also find tools to involve families, kid-friendly rubrics, and visuals to support fluency in your classroom.

The Fluency Development Lesson: Closing the Reading Gap Professional Development Book

by Lynne Kulich, Timothy Rasinski, and David L. Harrison

This book is a practical, research-backed guide to using Fluency Development Lessons—a structured, 5-day routine built around a single grade-level (or slightly above) text. The book begins with clear definitions and fluency foundations, then it is packed with ready-to-use lessons across content areas like science and history.

Each unit includes the full text, day-by-day guidance, examples of teacher talk, and engaging post-reading activities like word ladders and written responses. A helpful tool for teachers looking for resources to build fluency while deepening content learning!

Hear Tim Rasinski share all about fluency instruction in this podcast episode.

Know Better, Do Better: Teaching the Foundations So Every Child Can Read 

by David Liben and Meredith Liben

You might have to track down a used copy—but trust us, it’s worth it. While this book covers all the foundational reading skills, Chapters 6 and 7 on fluency are absolute standouts.

The authors break down fluency into accuracy, rate, and prosody with super practical, easy-to-implement advice for daily classroom routines. You'll also find helpful guidance for supporting older students who struggle with fluency, plus clear partner reading strategies and tons of linked resources. It’s a brief, but actionable book packed with ideas you can use right away!

David Liben shares how to support older readers, especially with fluency, in these podcast episodes.