Science of Reading (SOR): Part 1: Overview of the Science of Reading

Summary

In this multi-part series, a panel of experts from GCU's College of Education discusses the science of reading, emphasizing its interdisciplinary research roots and practical classroom applications. They explore components like phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency, highlighting the importance of intentional, systematic instruction. The conversation also covers how to identify research-based curricula, the significance of structured literacy, and the role of professional development for educators to enhance literacy instruction.

Takeaways

• 📚 The science of reading is a comprehensive body of research that benefits both teachers and students and has been a topic in educational literature since the early 20th century.
• 🔍 The term 'science of reading' gained more attention after the National Reading Panel's 2000 report, which emphasized the importance of phonemic awareness and phonics for reading success.
• 🎯 Scarborough's rope model is often referred to in discussions about the science of reading, highlighting word recognition and language comprehension as critical components of skilled reading.
• 👥 Phonics is the systematic instruction of the English alphabetic system, including sound-symbol correspondences, which is crucial for decoding and is best taught explicitly and in a logical sequence.
• 📈 Phonemic awareness, the ability to manipulate individual sounds in words, is a strong predictor of a student's success in applying phonics and is essential for building reading proficiency.
• 🌐 The science of reading is interdisciplinary and has been developed over five decades, emphasizing the importance of fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension alongside phonics and phonemic awareness.
• 🏫 In the classroom, the science of reading should be implemented through intentional, systematic instruction with structured blocks of time dedicated to reading activities and high-quality conversations.
• 📝 When evaluating a curriculum for the science of reading, fidelity to the program is crucial, meaning that it should be followed step by step without skipping any parts to ensure consistent results.
• 📘 Structured literacy is an essential approach for all students, providing explicit, systematic, and multi-sensory instruction that is tailored to the needs of diverse learners.
• 👨‍🏫 School leaders should understand and support the science of reading by ensuring proper training, curriculum analysis, and the allocation of resources and time for effective literacy instruction.
• 👩‍🏫 Professional development for educators is vital and can be pursued through various avenues, including state Department of Education websites, university courses, and online communities.

Q & A

What is the science of reading?

The science of reading refers to the comprehensive body of research on how reading works, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. It is not a new concept but has been emphasized more since the National Reading Panel's report in 2000.

When did the term 'science of reading' begin to be used in educational literature?

The term 'science of reading' has been used in educational literature since the beginning of the 20th century.

What does the National Reading Panel's report in 2000 emphasize as foundational to reading success?

The report emphasizes that phonemic awareness and phonics are foundational and critical to reading success.

What is phonics and why is it important?

Phonics refers to the instruction in the English alphabetic system, including sound-symbol correspondences, which allows a reader to decode from print to pronunciation. It is important because it systematically teaches the 150 spellings of the 44 sounds in the English language, aiding non-readers in becoming successful readers.

What is phonemic awareness and how does it relate to phonics?

Phonemic awareness is the ability to identify and manipulate units of sound, including individual phonemes. It is a strong predictor of a student's ability to apply phonics to increase their reading proficiency and is complementary to phonics, not a replacement.

What are the five key components of the science of reading instruction?

The five key components are phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency.

How can educators find a research-based curriculum that includes the science of reading?

Educators can use tools like the Reading League's green and red flags to evaluate if a curriculum aligns with the science of reading, ensuring it covers word recognition, language comprehension, assessment, and writing.

What does 'Fidelity' mean in the context of curriculum implementation?

Fidelity refers to the faithful implementation of a curriculum, meaning that it is followed step by step without skipping any parts to ensure consistent results.

What is structured literacy and why is it important for student success?

Structured literacy is an approach that includes explicit and systematic instruction, assessment, and the use of multi-sensory strategies. It is important for student success because it addresses the needs of all learners and is essential for students with reading disabilities such as dyslexia.

What advice would you give to school leaders to improve literacy instruction?

School leaders should understand the science of reading, ensure proper training, analyze and adjust assessments, secure resources, build a strong curriculum, provide professional development, and be actively involved in the reading program.

What professional development opportunities are available for educators to learn more about the science of reading?

Opportunities include Department of Education websites, university courses, online resources, book studies, podcasts, and social media groups focused on literacy and the science of reading.