Fluency is the ability to read a text quickly, accurately, and with proper expression. (p. 3-5, National Reading Panel, 2000). 

Fluent reading aids comprehension, the ultimate goal of reading.  Students who are reading fluently have a better likelihood of understanding the text they are reading.  There are 3 components of fluency: speed, accuracy, and expression.  Automaticity (the ability to accurately recognize words quickly and effortlessly) and prosody (reading with expression, using proper stress, emphasis, pitch, intonation, and tempo, etc.) are important for fluent reading and good comprehension.

Here is the Fluency LitBits Keynote presentation from last year.  It contains valuable information and tips for improving fluency, such as repeated readings, read-along or read-with stories/centers, and "scooping."

Fluency LitBits (click here for pdf version of Vickie's keynote)

 http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZ4Z4&PMDBSUBCATEGORYID=&PMDBSITEID=2781&PMDBSUBSOLUTIONID=&PMDBSOLUTIONID=6724&PMDBSUBJECTAREAID=&PMDBCATEGORYID=3091&PMDbProgramID=33822

Also, QuickReads Fluency titles are available in the bookroom.  They are from Pearson Education, and they are designed to develop automaticity with high-frequency words and develop key content-area vocabulary and content knowledge.