What is the most effective way for a teacher to assist a student who focuses too much on decoding rather than understanding text?

Focusing on fluency skills is vital for students who concentrate excessively on decoding. Fluency refers to the ability to read text smoothly and with appropriate expression, which enables the reader to concentrate on the meaning of the text rather than getting bogged down by the mechanics of individual words. When students are fluent, they can devote their cognitive energy to comprehension, making it easier for them to grasp the overall ideas and themes of what they read. This holistic understanding is crucial for successful reading and learning.

Training in fluency can include repeated readings, practice with texts at the student's instructional level, and engaging in activities that promote expression and pacing. As students become more fluent, they tend to shift their focus from simply pronouncing words to understanding the content, thus enhancing their overall reading comprehension.