Approaches to Reading
The Science of Reading
The Science of Reading is a compilation of various methods used in teaching children to learn to read and then read to learn. It is not a program, but rather an approach used to teach reading strategies and skills. When I work with children, I implement the various strategies for each component.
The approach is based on the 5 big ideas of learning to read. These areas have been studied and researched for many years and have proven results.
The 5 Big Ideas:
Phonemic Awareness - The ability to identify and play with individual sounds in spoken words.
Phonics - Understanding how letters and groups of letters link to sounds and form letter-sound relationships and spelling patterns.
Fluency - The ability to read words, phrases, sentences, and stories correctly, with enough speed and expression.
Vocabulary - Knowing what words mean and how to say and use them correctly.
Comprehension - The ability to understand what you are reading.
When learning to read, children start with phonemic awareness and work towards comprehension. They must be able to understand letter sound relationships before they can begin to understand what they are reading.
If you would like more information on The Science of Reading, click here.
The Multisensory Approach to Reading
I am also a firm believer in a multisensory approach to reading. Allowing children to use the various senses when learning to read offers them the ability to make more than one connection with new information. For example, when children are being introduced to phonemic awareness, it is beneficial for them to write in shaving cream and trace sandpaper letters with their fingers. The mind connects the new concept in a variety of forms.
Research has shown that the multisensory approach to reading has the following benefits:
- Enhanced memory
- Increased engagement with the concept
- Addresses various learning styles
- Promotes phonics development
- Struggling readers are provided additional support
To read more about the multisensory approach, click here.
