Why Fluency Still Matters in Upper Elementary (and How CLOZE & MAZE Passages Can Help)

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I entered my first year of teaching full of excitement — and a lot of knowledge about research-based reading tools from college. Like many new teachers, I was ready to apply everything I’d learned about phonics, comprehension, and guided reading. What I didn’t expect? A handful of very low readers in my 5th-grade class who still struggled to read fluently.

Even though they could “read,” they couldn’t do it smoothly or quickly enough to truly understand what they read. That’s when I started to rely on fluency-building tools like CLOZE and MAZE passages — simple, research-backed strategies that help strengthen both fluency and comprehension.

What Is Reading Fluency (and Why It Matters)?

Reading fluency is the ability to read with accuracy, speed, and expression. When students are fluent readers, they spend less energy decoding and more energy understanding — the ultimate goal of reading.

Fluency doesn’t stop being important after 2nd or 3rd grade. In fact, upper elementary is often when we see gaps widen between fluent and struggling readers. Students who haven’t mastered fluency by this point may fall behind in every subject area, because reading touches everything — from science to social studies.

How CLOZE & MAZE Passages Build Fluency

Both CLOZE and MAZE activities train students to read with purpose and attention to meaning.

• CLOZE passages have blanks throughout a text where students fill in missing words using context clues. This strengthens comprehension, vocabulary, and prediction skills — all while reinforcing reading fluency.

• MAZE passages are timed reading fluency tasks where students choose the correct word from three options as they read. It’s a great way to build automaticity and focus on meaning, not just speed.

What I love most about these tools is how adaptable they are. You can use them as morning work, reading centers, intervention tools, or even partner activities for fluency practice.

A Simple Way to Start

When I first started, I set a timer for one minute and had students complete a short MAZE passage. We’d graph progress each week, and it became a game — not a test. Students loved tracking their growth!

If you want to try it out, I have a free Halloween-themed MAZE passage that’s perfect for upper elementary students. It’s short, seasonal, and builds confidence while keeping things fun.

👉 Grab the free Halloween MAZE passage here. 

Where to Find More Practice

I’ve started building a CLOZE and MAZE series designed to help teachers progress monitor fluency all year long. Right now, my Fall set is ready — packed with engaging passages that target both fluency and comprehension. It’s a great place to start if you’re looking for meaningful reading practice that fits right into your routine.

👉 Check out the Fall MAZE & CLOZE set here. 

I’m currently working on the Winter, Spring, and Summer sets so teachers can easily track growth and keep students motivated month after month.

If you’re looking for a deeper dive into fluency and research-based strategies, I also recommend The Fluent Reader by Timothy Rasinski — it’s one of the most practical books I’ve ever read about making fluency instruction effective and fun.

Here is a set of 40 CLOZE passages for grades 4-6.

Final Thoughts

Fluency isn’t just about speed — it’s about helping students understand and enjoy reading. Tools like CLOZE and MAZE passages give students the structure they need to grow, while giving teachers quick, no-prep ways to support struggling readers.

Whether you start with a freebie or a full set, adding just a few minutes of fluency practice each day can make a lasting difference in your students’ confidence and comprehension.