Reading expert Michael F. Opitz takes a fresh look at fluency. He replaces myths and misinformation—including the idea that speed in reading is the ultimate goal—with clear facts to help you understand how all the key aspects of fluency support students as they learn to read and comprehend. After outlining his definition of fluency, Opitz provides the following 12 steps to help students learn to read with appropriate speed, accuracy, and expression. For use with Grades K-5.
A former elementary school teacher and reading specialist, Michael Opitz is a professor of reading at the University of Northern Colorado. He is well known to individual teachers, instructional leaders, and researchers as the author of numerous professional and curricular resources and through extensive PD work in schools nationwide.
TEACHER PROFESSIONAL BOOKS
* Accessible Assessment: How 9 Sensible Techniques Can Power Data-Driven Reading Instruction (Heinemann, 2011)
* Reading Diagnosis and Improvement: Assessment and Instruction, 6th ed. (Allyn & Bacon, 2011)
* Literacy Lessons to Help Kids Get Fit and Healthy (Scholastic, 2010)
* Comprehension and English Language Learners: 25 Oral Reading Strategies That Cross Proficiency Levels (Heinemann, 2009)
* Do-able Differentiation: Varying Texts, Supports and Groups to Reach Readers (Heinemann, 2008)
* Good-bye Round Robin (Heinemann, 1998/2008)
* Don't Speed. Read! 12 Steps for Smart and Sensible Fluency Instruction (Scholastic, 2007)
* Books and Beyond: New Ways to Reach Readers (Heinemann, 2006)
* Listen Hear! 25 Ways to Enhance Listening Comprehension (Heinemann, 2005)
* Reaching Readers: Flexible and Innovative Strategies for Guided Reading (Heinemann, 2001)
* Rhymes and Reasons: Literature and Language Play for Phonological Awareness (Heinemann, 2000)
* Flexible Grouping in Reading (Scholastic, 1998)
* Literacy Instruction for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (IRA, 1998)
* Getting the Most from Predictable Books (Scholastic, 1995)
* Learning Centers: Getting Them Started, Keeping Them Going (Scholastic, 1994)
CORE, SUPPLEMENTAL, AND RTI PROGRAMS
* Pair-It Extreme (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010), a supplemental reading program aimed at engaging boys with reading
* Literacy by Design (Rigby, 2008), a supplemental literacy and RtI program
* Intervention by Design (Rigby, 2009), an intervention program tailored to children who need additional help with reading
* Summer Success Reading (Great Source, 2007), a reading program designed to help children who need additional help with reading
* Afterschool Achiever's Reading Club (Great Source, 2003)
* Daybooks, Grades 3-5 (Great Source, 2008, contributing author)
ARTICLES
Mike is the author of more than 20 articles in peer-reviewed journals such as:
* The Reading Teacher
* Literacy Research and Instruction
* Reading Horizons
AWARDS AND HONORS
Mike has received more than 15 awards for his teaching, scholarship, and service to professional organizations, including the Fannie Stabenow Award from the Colorado Council of the International Reading Association.
LEADERSHIP ROLES
* Editorial Boards of The Reading Teacher and Reading Horizons
* Former Chair of IRA's Teacher Educator Award Committee
* Numerous committees in CCIRA
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Michael Opitz provides on- and off-site professional development through Heinemann Professional Development.
