003. Why Rushing to Fluency Can Hurt Learning

Have you ever taught a skill over and over again, only to wonder, “Why aren’t they getting it?” It might be because we’re rushing right past acquisition and diving headfirst into fluency—and that shortcut is costing our students big time.

In this episode of Teaching Made Simple, Bridget breaks down what acquisition and fluency really mean, how they show up in both literacy and math instruction, and where they fit in the Instructional Hierarchy. You’ll walk away with practical examples, lesson planning strategies, and a fresh lens on how to pace instruction for lasting success.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between reteaching and moving on, this episode will help you find your next step forward.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

  • What acquisition really looks like (hint: training wheels required!)
  • How fluency fits into the bigger learning picture—and why we can’t force it too soon
  • The four stages of the Instructional Hierarchy
  • Common mistakes teachers make (and how to avoid them)
  • Simple lesson design tips to support acquisition before expecting fluency
  • Why fluency isn’t the finish line—and what comes next!

✏️ Key Takeaways:

  • Don’t confuse practice with mastery. Fluency comes after students deeply understand the skill.
  • Blocked practice and scaffolds help students acquire skills. Only then can they build fluency.
  • The Instructional Hierarchy is your road map: Acquisition → Fluency → Generalization → Adaptation.
  • If students are still making frequent errors, they’re not ready to speed up.

🔄 Real-Life Classroom Examples:

  • Writing: Don’t assign full essays if students haven’t built solid sentences.
  • Math: Teach why multiplication works before expecting fast fact recall.
  • Reading: Prioritize decoding before diving into silent reading fluency.

📌 Try This:

Look at one of your upcoming lessons. Ask yourself:
 👉 Are my students still acquiring the skill—or are they ready for fluency?
 Make one small adjustment to better support their current stage of learning.

🙌 Thanks for Tuning In!

I see the dedication you pour into your teaching, and I’m so grateful to walk this journey with you. Your commitment to doing what’s best for kids is what keeps this work meaningful.

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a teacher friend who’s ready to rethink how fluency fits in the bigger picture of learning.

🔗 Links & Resources:

Until next time... keep showing up, keep making a difference, and I’ll see you next time on Teaching Made Simple.