It's Time to Use Reading Science!
This APM Reports documentary by Emily Hanford Hard Words: Why aren't kids being taught to read? is a really thought provoking piece about how children read and how kids and families land in the middle of the tug of war over how kids read - phonics vs. whole language still at it. A California lawsuit has even entered the debate and provided grants to schools investing in reading science as outlined in this article about one Bay Areas Schools Reading approach We can all agree that everyone needs to learn how to read. When we examine prison populations and reading literacy rates we starkly see why. Better readers do better. Is reading natural? If we just give kids lots of books, is that enough? Where does phonics fit in? For how long? The education community does not agree. I am a scientist at heart. I must follow the science of reading to formulate my bottom line.
Reading instruction must be dynamic and include phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Reading is natural for some but not others especially if you have a processing difference like dyslexia or are coping with trauma. Kids need support with phonics blending AND they need to learn whole words. Real tasks that use real texts across content areas to build background knowledge is essential for ongoing vocabulary development and reading comprehension.
Here are my Top 5 Reading Tips Based on Reading Science:
Phonics is ESSENTIAL through at least 1st grade and should continue as needed through strategic grouping.
Spelling instruction is important but should never hold students back from new learning or be overdone.
Word study or morphology with roots, prefixes and suffixes teaches kids to crack the code as they develop as readers starting in 3rd grade especially when gamified.
Leveled, "just right books" can limit access to and practice with complex language so beware.
Science, social studies, art and music build students general content knowledge and develop and even accelerate reading comprehension skills.
Need help developing your reading approach based on reading science? Let's #Design4Depth together!