Alpha Reading Fluency is a supporting reading app for grades K–2 that builds oral reading fluency and comprehension through repeated reading, reading the same short passage several times to build speed and accuracy. It carries no instructional content of its own; the reading and language skills it draws on are taught elsewhere (mainly Lalilo), and this is where your child puts them into practice out loud.
How to log in
Apps in TimeBack log in automatically as standard. If the automatic login doesn't work, follow the steps below.
Open TimeBack Dash - Find Alpha Reading Fluency and click Jump In.
Continue with TimeBack - Click “Continue with TimeBack” to sign in with your child's usual TimeBack login.
Placement
All students start at the easiest passage in the library. The app adaptively raises the difficulty based on your child's words-correct-per-minute (WCPM) and word accuracy on each passage, independent of whatever grade course they're rostered in, so the level always matches their actual reading, not their grade.
How a session works
A quick microphone check starts every session.
Word Wall - Your child clicks through key vocabulary for the passage, hearing each word, its definition, and an example sentence, then tries reading it aloud. A misread word repeats the recording and the pronunciation.
Modeled reading - The app reads the whole passage aloud while each sentence highlights, so your child can follow along.
Echo reading (Kindergarten-level texts only) - One line highlights at a time and your child repeats it; a misread prompts another try.
Solo reading - Your child reads the passage alone into the mic (recording starts automatically): 2 solo reads after echo reading for Kindergarten texts, or 3 solo reads with no echo reading for Grade 1–2 texts. Any missed word gets extra practice before moving on.
Comprehension quiz - 5 questions on the passage, with every prompt and answer choice read aloud automatically.
How XP works
XP requires 80% word accuracy: each reading attempt earns 2–4 XP depending on the passage's length, and the comprehension quiz earns 5 XP at 80%+ accuracy. Reaching the 25 XP daily goal usually takes 2–3 passages at 80% accuracy, below that bar, more passages are needed to reach the same goal. Your child can track XP earned that session in the star icon, top right, next to their profile.
How your child advances
There's no fixed number of passages to complete, Alpha Reading Fluency keeps raising the bar until your child masters the ORF (oral reading fluency) benchmark screener for their grade in Literably, which finishes that grade's course. As a rough guide, moving from the Kindergarten benchmark to Grade 1, or Grade 1 to Grade 2, typically takes 12–15 weeks. It's normal for your child to be working in passages above their grade benchmark level along the way, that stretch is what makes the final, unseen benchmark read achievable.
Habits that lead to success
Work in the quietest spot possible, background noise hurts the accuracy score and can make the daily XP goal harder to reach.
Read for accuracy first, speed second, below 80% word accuracy, a reading attempt earns no XP.
Check the text before answering a quiz question, every answer is in the passage; skipping this step is the single biggest reason kids miss XP on the quiz.
How to tell it's working
Steady XP with focused minutes is the goal. If minutes are high but XP is low, the content may be too difficult, worth a conversation with the Academics EY Reading team about adjusting the level. If both minutes and XP are low, your child is likely rushing, a reminder to slow down and read carefully usually helps.\
Common Issues | FAQs
Where do I find the login?
Launch it from TimeBack (“Jump In”), then click “Continue with TimeBack”, the same login your child uses everywhere else.
Why does the level seem too easy or too hard for my child's grade?
Difficulty is based on your child's own words-correct-per-minute and accuracy scores, not their grade, it's normal for a student to be working above or below grade level.
My child finished a reading attempt but earned no XP
80% word accuracy is required for XP, on both the reading attempt and the quiz. Reading in a quiet space and slowing down for accuracy usually fixes it.
The app seems to be waiting even though my child stopped talking
Background noise can make the app think they're still speaking. Having them repeat the sentence usually clears it.
How much reading does my child need to do each day?
About 2–3 passages at 80%+ accuracy reaches the 25 XP daily goal; below that accuracy, more passages are needed.
When is a grade level considered done?
When your child masters that grade's ORF benchmark screener in Literably, typically 12–15 weeks between benchmark levels.