In 2000, the National Reading Panel (NRP) submitted their final report on the most effective methods for teaching children to read. The NRP’s findings are still used today as the basis for federal literacy policy, including “No Child Left Behind.” So what exactly are the five essential components of reading? Let’s take a look what makes an essential literacy program.
Phonemic Awareness
Explicit instruction in Phonemic Awareness. Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. It is an important predictor of success in learning to read. Explicit instruction means that phonemic awareness should be taught directly and systematically, rather than being incorporated into other activities such as story time.
Through explicit instruction, students learn how to hear phonemes, differentiate between them, blend them together into words and syllables, and break down words into phonemes. This helps children gain a better understanding of phonics which allows them to read with fluency and accuracy.
Systematic Phonics
Systematic phonics instruction helps children learn the relationship between the letters of written language and the sounds of spoken language. Children who receive systematic phonics instruction are better able to decode unfamiliar words, which leads to increased reading accuracy and fluency.
Vocabulary
A child’s vocabulary knowledge is a strong predictor of reading comprehension skills. That’s why it’s so important for children to be exposed to a wide variety of words at an early age. One way to do this is by reading aloud to children on a daily basis from a variety of interesting and age-appropriate books. This will help them develop a richer understanding of both spoken and written language.
Reading Comprehension Strategies
Good readers use a variety of strategies to understand what they read, including making predictions, asking questions, and drawing inferences. These strategies can be taught explicitly through modeling and practice. Additionally, providing opportunities for independent reading will give children plenty of chances to try out these strategies on their own.
Fluency Instruction and Practice
Fluency is the ability to read text accurately and quickly with proper expression. It is an important foundation for successful reading comprehension because it allows readers to focus on meaning instead of decoding words letter-by-letter. Fluency can be developed through repeated readings of familiar texts, choral reading, and timed oral readings using a metronome or other timing device.
These are the five essential components of reading according to the National Reading Panel’s 2000 report. Although much has changed in the 20 years since the report was released, these five components continue to be relevant today and form the basis of most reading instruction programs. By incorporating all five components into your child’s reading routine, you can set them up for success in school and beyond and know that you have the five essential parts of the literacy program.
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