5 Pillars of reading-

1. Phonemic Awareness

2. Phonics

3. Fluency

4. Vocabulary

5. Comprehension.

Phonemic awareness- a type of knowledge

Phonics- type of instruction

Fluency- a characteristic of skilled reading

Vocabulary- a component of language

Comprehension- goal of reading

Why is it important?

It is important because it is the very basic. The students can’t move past to reading or anything unless they understand the basics of phonics.

Resources:

5 Pillars of Reading

Why is it important?

Recources:

Science of reading

Science of Reading or SOR means using evidence gleaned from rigorous research to guide effective classroom practices (Reyna, 2004)

Reading comprehension is the product of decoding and linguistic comprehension.

This explains how children learn to read, write, and spell. Studies come from education, linguistics, psychology, and neuroscience.

It is important because reading is not natural, and it must be taught. In elementary school, students benefit from carefully planned systematic and explicit instruction rather than incidental learning about print. Teachers’ practices should include the development of oral language skills, alphabet knowledge, phonemic awareness, phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension strategies.

Why is it important? It is important because students reading comprehension score can be predicted if decoding skills and language comprehension abilities are known to the teacher. They are multiplied not added. The values must be between 0 and 1. A score of 0 means no skill or ability at all and 1 indicates perfection.

All reading difficulties fall into 1 of 3 general types- Poor at language comprehension, poor at decoding, or weaknesses in both areas.

Resources:

Simple View of Reading

Why is it important? It is important because it is the ability to notice, think about, and work with individual sounds in spoken words. This is students foundation for learning to read and spell.

How is it taught? It is taught through auditory activities that focus on sounds in spoken words, without using letter. (blending sounds to form words, segmenting words into individual sounds, and sound discrimination.

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Phonemic Awareness

Why is it important? Like phonemic, it is a foundational skill for reading and writing. It helps students to understand that spoken words are made up of individual sounds (phonemes).

How is it taught? Taught from rhyming, syllable clapping, identifying initial and final sounds, and manipulating individual phonemes through blending and segmenting.

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Phonological Awareness

The Reading Rope is a visual metaphor for how a skilled reader develops by weaving together multiple interconnected skills. 2 main bundles are "Word Recognition" & "Language Comprehension"

Why is it important?

It is a visual guide or model that shows interconnected skills required for proficient reading. Showing how word recognition and language comprehension must be intertwined to create a strong, skilled reader.

Resource: Reading Rope

Why is it important? It helps with better reading comprehension, vocabulary development, critical thinking, and communication skills.

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Concepts of Print

Why is it important? It is important because it helps students become fluent and strong readers, helps with spelling, and supports comprehension.

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Orthographic Mapping

Is a method of reading and writing that focuses on the relationship between sound and letters or groups of letters in language.

Why is it important?

It teaches children how to sound out words by learning what each letter makes, how letters combined make new sounds, and how to blend those sounds to read full words.

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Phonics

The teacher clearly and directly explains the sound-letter relationship. Skills are taught in a planned sequence-from easiest to more complex. (Single consonants & short vowels to blends, digraphs, and diphthongs.)

Instructional Strategy 2: (Synthetic Phonics) (Blending sounds to make words)

Once students know some letter sounds, they move on to focus on putting those sounds together to read whole words.

Decodable Texts: (What are they? Why are they important?)

 Are books or reading passages that are written using only the letter-sound relationship and phonics patterns that students have already been taught.

It is important because it helps early readers apply their phonics knowledge by reading words they can decode or sound out rather than guessing or memorizing.

Assessments:

 Universal screenings like DIBELS, print awareness assessment, letter/sound recognition assessment, phonological awareness assessment, phonemic awareness assessment, word recognition assessment phonics elements assessment, and informal reading inventory.

Resources:

Phonics Instructional Strategies

Decodable Texts

Assessments

Being able to read smoothly, easily, and without stopping to think too much.

Why is it important?

It is important because it helps read more easily and confidently. You can understand stories or information faster.

How is it taught?

Fluency is taught by giving lots of practice and support until reading becomes smooth and automatic.

Heart Words- What are they?

 Words that you have to know by heart because they don't sound the way they're spelled (said, was, the, could, here, where, said)

Sight Words- What are they?

 Words you can read instantly without sounding them out or thinking about them. (and, you, come)

High Frequency Words- What are they?

Words we use most often when we are reading or writing (the, is, to, and, it)

Resources:

• Fluency

• heart words

• sight words

• high frequency words

·      Precommunicative stage

·      Semiphonetic stage

·      Phonetic stage

·      Transitional stage

·      Correct stage

Spelling Rules:

  C rule:

·      C says s before e, I, or y (cent, city, cycle)

·      C says k before a, o, or u (cat, cold, cup)

G rule:

·      G says j before e, I, or y (gem, giant, gym)

·      G says g before a, o, or u (gate, goat, gum)

The “Silent E” or magic e rule:

·      Cap-cape

·      Mad-made

·      Hop-hope

The Doubling Rule (for adding endings):

·      When a one-syllable word ends in one vowel and one consonant, double the final consonant before adding -ed or -ing.

·      Run-running

·      Hop-hopped

·      Sit-sitting

·      Don’t double if there are two vowels or two consonants

·      Boat-boating

·      Jump-jumping

The drop the “e” rule:

·      When a word ends with silent e, drop the e before adding an ending that starts with a vowel (ing, ed, er, est)

·      Make-making

·      Hope-hoping

·      Use-using

·      Keep the e before endings that start with a consonant (ly, ment)

·      Hope-hopeful

·      Use-useful

Change “y” to “I” rule:

·      When a word ends in a consonant & Y, change the Y to I before adding ed, er, es, est

·      Cry-cried

·      Happy-happier

·      Baby-babies

·      Don’t change the Y before adding ing

·      Cry-crying

·      Try-trying

The “I before e except after c” rule:

·      Usually, I before e (piece, believe) except after c (receive, ceiling) or when sounding like /ay/ neighbor, weigh)

Plural Rules:

·      Add s to most words (cat-cats)

·      Add es if the word ends in s, x, z, sh, ch (bus-buses, box-boxes)

·      Change y to I and ad es when a word ends in consonant &y (baby-babies)

·      Change F to v and add es for words (Leaf-leaves, wolf-wolves)

Resources:

Spelling Stages

Spelling Rules

Is a framework that shows how different writing skills work together to create strong, effective writers. It is similar to the reading rope, but focused on writing.

1. Critical thinking

2. syntax

3. text structure

4. writing craft

5. transcription

Why is it important?

It helps teachers understand and teach writing as a complex, interconnected process, not just as grammar or handwriting.

Resources:

Writing Rope

Are specific teaching methods teachers use to help students learn how to plan, draft, revise, and publish their writing. Some strategies for writing include:

1. Modeling and think alouds

2. The writing process approach

3. Sentence combining and expanding

4. Graphic organizers

5. Explicit strategy instruction (SRSD Model)

6. Use of mentor texts

7. Peer review and collaboration

8. Frequent, low stakes writing

9. Writing across the curriculum

10. Targeted feedback and conferencing

Assessments for Writing:

is the process teachers use to evaluate students' writing skills, gorgers, and understanding. It helps guide instruction, provide feedback, and support students in becoming better writers. Writing assessments can be both formative (ongoing) and summative (final evaluation)

Resources:

Connecting the Reading and the Writing Rope

Writing Strategies

Assessments for Writing

Is a learning difference that primarily affects a person's ability to read, spell, and decode words accurately and fluently, even though they usually have normal intelligence and receive proper instruction.

Why is it important?

Understanding dyslexia is important because it helps teachers provide effective, equitable instruction and support for students who struggle with reading and writing.

Caregiver Information on Dyslexia:

Is guidance provided to parents, guardians, or other caregivers to help them understand, support, and advocate for a child with dyslexia. This information helps families play an active role in their child's learning and literacy development.

Resources:

• Dyslexia

• What is Dyslexia?

Is an approach to teaching reading that is explicit, systematic, and evidence-based. It focuses on helping students understand how written language works, especially the relationship between sounds and letters.

Why is it important?

Because it gives all students, especially those who struggle with reading, the tools they need to understand and use written language effectively. It builds a strong foundation, supports all learners, closes learning gaps early, promotes reading comprehension, and is backed by science.

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Structured Literacy

Is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in all its forms including TV, social media, news, websites, and advertisements. It helps students understand how media messages are constructed, what purpose they serve, and how they influence thoughts, beliefs, and behavior.

Why is it important?

It is important for students to think critically rather than accepting information at face value. It promotes responsible digital citizenship. It helps build skills for communication and self-expression in a media-saturated world. It supports learning across subjects, since media is used in research, storytelling, and projects.

Resources:

Media Literacy

This is an online literacy resource to help teachers improve students reading comprehension skills. It has a library of grade-level, appropriate reading passages. These passes are tagged by grade, Lexile level, subject area, and text type. Many of the passages come with comprehension questions, vocab support, and teachers notes. Its content is aligned to standards and supports differentiation. There are many genres to pick from to help keep students engaged. Cons can be that it is very text based which might not fully engage students who benefit from gameish learning.

MagicSchoolAI is intended to save teachers time on planning and administrative tasks so they can focus more on teaching. It support a wide variety of education specific tools that can significantly reduce time spent on planning, grading, and classroom communication. It has guided prompts and templates for classroom needs. Student and teacher data is protected. I works with platforms teachers probably already use like Google Classroom and canvas. Cons: AI depends on how well you prompt is, creating the best results comes from the best prompts. Access to all features and advanced integrations may require a paid subscription.

This website includes lesson planning, differentiation, assessment creation, grading support, and student feedback. It supports customized resources for diverse learners. It emphasizes safety, transparency, and age-appropriate use, making sure that it adds value without replacing the professional judgement of teachers. This can help save time and enhances instruction. Con: like other ai tools prompting the system the best will give you the best results.

-Everyday words used in conversation (happy, run, house)

-Usually learned naturally through oral language

-Teach explicitly when working with early elementary students or English learners who may lack background vocabulary.

*Tier 2 Words

-High-utility academic words used across subjects (analyze, compare, significant)

-Identified as critical for comprehension

-Teach during reading and content-area lessons because they transfer across subjects and improve academic language

*Tier 3 Words

-Subject specific words (photosynthesis, denominator, legislative)

-Essential for understanding specific content

-Teach directly when introducing new units or complex concepts

Classroom vocab assessment for content areas

-Graphic organizer with definition, characteristics, examples, non-examples

-Promotes deep understanding not memorization

-Use when introducing complex Tier 2 or Tier 3 words.

*Word Sorts

-Students categorize words by meaning or features (open or closed sorts)

-Helps students see relationships and patterns

-Use for review or to reinforce vocab connections

*Semantic Mapping

-Visual web connecting vocab to related ideas

-Activates prior knowledge and builds connections

-Use before reading (to assess background knowledge) or after instruction (to review concepts)

Classroom vocab assessment for content areas

-Students define or use a word in their own words

-Checks for understanding and application

-Best used as a formative, ongoing assessment.

*Concept Maps

-Students show relationships among vocab terms

-Assesses depth of understanding, not just memorization

-Effective as an end of unit assessment

Quick, Easy, and Effective ways to assess vocab

Supports: creativity and critical thinking as students analyze world-building, symbolism, and character development.

Examples: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone & The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Poetry- Uses rhythm, imagery, and figurative language to express ideas and emotions. Poems may follow structured forms or be written in free verse.

Supports: Poetry strengthens fluency, vocab, and close reading skills because students must pay attention to word choice and meaning.

Examples: Where the Sidewalk Ends & Love That Dog

Realistic Fiction: Portrays characters, settings, and events that could realistically occur in everyday life. Although the stories are fictional, they reflect real-world experiences, problems, and emotions. Common themes include friendship, family, identity, and personal growth.

Supports: Helps make text-to-self connections and develop empathy. Since situations feel authentic, students can analyze character motivation and conflict in meaningful ways.

Examples: Because of Winn-Dixie & Wonder

Historical Fiction: Is set in the past and integrates real historical events, settings, or figures into a fictional narrative. While characters may be invented, the historical context is accurate and researched.

Supports: Cross-curricular learning by connecting literacy with social studies. It helps students understand historical perspectives and develop background knowledge about different time periods.

Examples: Number the Stars & Esperanza Rising

Nonfiction- provides factual information about real people, places, events, or concepts. Text features such as headings, captions, diagrams, and glossaries support comprehension. Nonfiction includes informational texts, expository texts, and narrative nonfiction.

Supports: Builds content knowledge, research skills, and critical thinking. Students learn to identify main ideas, analyze text structure, and evaluate sources.

Example: National Geographic Kids: Sharks & The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps

Folktales: traditional stories passed down through generations, often orally. Reflect culture values and belief of a society. Types include fairy tales, fables, legends, and myths. Often contain clear moral lessons and popular characters.

Supports: Cultural awareness and theme analysis. Can compare versions of the same tale from different cultures to examine perspective and structure.

Examples: Cinderella & Anansi the Spider

Biography- Tells true story of a real person’s life. Highlights major events, challenges, and accomplishments. Help students understand perseverance, leadership, and historical impact.

Supports: research skills and informational reading strategies. Provides role models and connect literacy to history and social emotional learning.

Examples: I Am Malala & Who Was Martin Luther King Jr?

Resources:

The Children's Book Council

Reading Rockets

International Literacy Association

o   Fountas & Pinnell- uses letters levels (A-Z) based on text complexity.

o   Lexile Framework- uses numerical scores based on sentence length and word frequency

Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Book Website

Teachers should consider:

o   Reading level and instruction goals

o   Student interests

o   Cultural relevance and representation

o   Text complexity

o   Opportunities for discussion and critical thinking.

Thoughtful selection ensures engagement while promoting growth

Reading Rockets: Choosing and Using Classroom Texts

Tools:

o   Mentor Texts- Show grammar in real writing examples.

o   Sentence Combining- Practice joining sentences to improve writing flow.

Resources: Grammar Bytes!

Tools:

o   Rubrics/Rubrics- Students use a simple rubric aligned to writing goals. Keeps feedback focused and constructive

o   “Two Stars and a wish” Strategy- Students share two strengths and one suggestion for improvement. Keeps feedback balanced and supportive.

Resources: National Writing Project

The Traits:

o   Ideas- The main message and supporting details.

o   Organization- The internal structure and logical flow

o   Voice- The writer’s personal tone and expression

o   Word Choice- Use of precise, engaging vocabulary

o   Sentence Fluency- Rhythm and flow of sentences

o   Conventions- Grammer, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization

o   Presentation (+1)- The overall appearance and formatting of the piece

Resources: Education Northwest

o Read above grade level with strong comprehension

o Analyze, infer, and interpret complex texts

o Enjoy challenges and diverse genres

Strategies:

o Tiered Texts- Provide more complex or multi-genre texts that challenge comprehension, vocab and critical thinking

o Independent Projects/ Literature Circles – Allow students to explore topics of interest deeply, discuss ideas with peers, and create projects connected to their reading.

Resources:

Reading Rockets