Third Grade Reading Fluency and SeeSaw

Students will:

• Be able to read an assigned piece and record their reading to measure fluency on SeeSaw.

Vocabulary Words:

1. Fluency: Fluency us the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and correct expression.

To prepare for this lesson:

Before the lesson, teachers must set up SeeSaw accounts for their classes and invite parents to join.

• Please view the TEACHER video on using SeeSaw in the classroom. 

• Students should also know the basic features of SeeSaw.

  • Please view the following videos to decide how your students will access SeeSaw.  Students can access it with email, a class code, or a QR code. 

    •  Student sign-in using email

    • Get Students Started on Seesaw: Sign in with a code

• Here is a student video on how to use SeeSaw. 

• The SeeSaw app needs to be downloaded on student devices or bookmarked on computers. 

  Teachers will choose a reading passage for students and upload it to the SeeSaw activities section.

• For sample reading passages for third grade create a free account at ReadWorks.org. 

• Here is an example of a reading passage from ReadWorks:

Green Sea Turtle

The green sea turtle lives in warm waters. An adult green sea turtle eats mostly plants. It can weigh up to 440 pounds. Its shell can grow to 4 feet long. A green sea turtle can’t pull its head into its shell the way some turtles can.

Why are green sea turtles endangered? People hunt them for their meat and eggs. The turtles also get trapped in nets used to catch fish. Pollution hurts the turtles too. If turtles eat trash, it can kill them. 

Note: SeeSaw has many other tutorials on their website and Help Center. 

See the Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4students website in the Teacher Resources. 

Directions for this activity:

1. The teacher begins by asking students “What is Fluency?” Students answer with what they have learned from previous lessons or years.

2. Next, the teacher asks why fluency is important. Students responses may include:

   • So you know who is talking in a story

   • So people can understand your reading

   • So you understand your reading

   • So you don’t sound like a robot.

3. The teacher then tells students that today they will be going to SeeSaw and opening a piece of reading that was uploaded in the activities section.

4. The students will then record themselves reading that passage. When they are finished, they can press the green check mark.

5. The teacher should remind students to try their best when reading and if they are having trouble, to try and sound out words and continue reading trying their best.

6. In SeeSaw students tap the Activities tab.

7. hen, they tap Waiting for Response, then tap the green add button.

8. Students tap record and then read the piece aloud and stop the recording when finished.

Different options for assessing the students:

• Observations
• Check for understanding
• Teachers can see what students have posted to their journal from the Teacher side of SeeSaw. They are able to leave feedback for students and intervene with any student who did not read the passage, or assess their reading level and needs.
• Teachers can also use this as a starting point in the year and have them read the same piece at the end of the year.