What is the Science of Reading?

The Science of Reading is just that: settled science—conclusive, research- proven ideas about how to teach reading. The science of reading has been documented in all languages and cultures around the world. The approach that most advocates agree upon is that emerging readers need to be taught foundational skills and knowledge- based skills. In short, reading research has demonstrated methods that best assist children in learning to read, from the earliest stages of spoken language to successfully decoding unfamiliar words.

Reading is a difficult skill to master. It requires good instruction from teachers who have been educated to assist students from the start. Phonics is important, but it is simply one component of a comprehensive reading programme for all students. Early childhood classrooms should be the heart of every school. Students will connect the dots faster if their teacher draws connections between speaking, listening, reading, and writing from the start.

Foundational reading skills include phonemic awareness and phonics. Knowledge- based skills include vocabulary and background knowledge (among others). These skills scaffold and intertwine, leading Hollis Scarborough to depict the now famous Scarborough’s Reading Rope.

What does the science of reading tell us about the development of skills needed to become a successful reader?

The sound structure of words is something we learn. We may separate phonemes, and one way to do it in the classroom is by separating the first sound of words. Using the first sound in a student’s name can often aid this process. The first stage in systematic, clear education is to concentrate on noises. Sound isolation, unlike “balanced literacy” or other strategies derived from “cueing,” is only the first step towards kids decoding ALL of the sounds in a word without guesswork, as it develops their phonemic awareness.

The Science of Reading has compiled information that holds important implications for empowering teachers with the knowledge to help students succeed in reading. Here at Renaissance, we want to help support your literacy teaching using the Science of Reading Research as a guide. When used together, Star Assessments, Accelerated Reader, myON and Freckle maximise impact on student growth and achievement, equipping educators with reliable and actionable data to monitor students’ skill development and mastery, motivate students with standards-based instruction and practice at their level, and engage students with differentiated and individualised practice that meets their unique learning styles.

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