Discover Your Guide to Engaging Resources and Tips Based on the Science of Reading

The “science of reading” refers to an interdisciplinary body of research that examines how humans learn to read, the processes involved in reading, and the most effective ways to teach reading. It draws from various fields, including cognitive psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, and education. The science of reading emphasizes evidence-based practices proven to support reading development. This website is packed with engaging reading resources based on the science of reading.

Lesson plans based on the science of reading incorporate decodable passages. Decodable passages or texts are sequential and gradually build phonic knowledge. They allow students to practice grapheme–phoneme correspondences and quickly build their confidence and ability to read connected text.

Key aspects of the science of reading include:

1. **Phonemic Awareness**: Understanding that words are made up of individual sounds (phonemes) and being able to manipulate those sounds.

2. **Phonics**: The relationship between letters and sounds, and how this knowledge helps in decoding words. Decodable passages are crucial.

3. **Fluency**: The ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression.

4. **Vocabulary**: Knowing the meaning of a wide range of words is crucial for comprehension.

5. **Comprehension**: Understanding and interpreting what is being read.

The science of reading has influenced educational practices and policies, encouraging a shift towards methods systematically and explicitly focused on teaching these core components. It advocates for instructional approaches that are aligned with how the brain processes written language, as opposed to relying solely on methods like whole language or balanced literacy, which may not be as effective for all learners.

4 elements of evidence-based foundational skills practice

1. Systematic – sequenced instruction and intervention.
2. Explicit – students see it, hear it, read it, write it.
3. Practice – students practice skills and make meaning from decodable texts.
4. Assessment/Differentiation – informal and formal data collection drives teaching and targeted support.

Children learn to read by reading!

Reading is a skill that needs practice. Professional athletes and musicians practice their skills rigorously daily—not “less” and “casually”—and they are professionals!

The more you read, the stronger brain connections become! Your brain behaves like a muscle that grows through effort and repeated failures. When you struggle, your 100 billion neurons lean on each other and make connections. The more you persevere, the more your neurons get used to working with each other, and the “smarter” you become!  Through repetition and practice, the meaning area of our brain begins to recognize and assign meaning to sequences of letters and word parts – increasing the speed of decoding and fluency.

eWWatching TV? Turn the closed captioning ON! The people of Finland do, and they have the world’s TOP reading scores!  ding

You MUST teach reading using DECODABLE TEXTS!  What should you do with the predictable books?   

Teach decoding. decodable texts. teach a child to read
how to teach reading 

 

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Published May 2012

Edited September 8, 2024