Structured literacy reading strategies are a comprehensive approach to teaching reading that is explicit, systematic, and diagnostic. This approach is designed to help all students, particularly those with dyslexia or other reading difficulties, develop strong literacy skills.
Key Components of Structured Literacy:
Structured literacy isn't just one technique but a combination of interconnected strategies. Here are its core elements:
1. Explicit Instruction
- Clear and Direct Teaching: Lessons are taught directly, with specific concepts and skills explained clearly to students.
- No Guesswork: Students aren't left to infer or guess; everything is taught explicitly.
- Example: Instead of expecting students to figure out patterns in words, the teacher would directly explain the rules for different sounds.
2. Systematic and Sequential Approach
- Logical Order: Foundational skills are taught in a logical order, building from simpler to more complex concepts.
- Gradual Progression: Instruction moves from easier concepts to more difficult ones step-by-step.
- Example: Beginning with letter sounds, moving to simple words, then to sentences and complex text.
3. Phonological Awareness Focus
- Sound Awareness: Focus on the sounds of language, which helps students understand the link between letters and sounds.
- Skills: Includes activities like rhyming, segmenting words, and blending sounds together.
- Example: Practicing breaking down the word "cat" into the sounds /k/ /a/ /t/.
4. Phonics Instruction
- Letter-Sound Relationships: Teaching the relationship between letters and sounds explicitly and systematically.
- Decoding Skills: Helping students learn to decode words by applying their knowledge of phonics.
- Example: Learning the sound 'sh' makes and using it to decode words like "ship".
5. Emphasis on Fluency
- Automatic Reading: Building the ability to read accurately, quickly, and with expression.
- Repeated Reading: Using repeated reading to improve speed and accuracy.
- Example: Practicing reading the same passage multiple times to improve fluency.
6. Vocabulary Instruction
- Understanding Words: Focus on both knowing definitions and also understanding how words are used.
- Multiple Exposures: Giving students many opportunities to see and use new vocabulary words.
- Example: Learning not only the dictionary definition of "migrate" but also seeing it used in different contexts.
7. Reading Comprehension
- Understanding Text: Teaching strategies for understanding what is read.
- Thinking About Reading: Asking questions, summarizing, and inferring while reading.
- Example: Discussing a text after reading to analyze characters, plot, and themes.
8. Diagnostic Assessments
- Identifying Needs: Using assessments to identify students' reading strengths and weaknesses.
- Targeted Instruction: Using assessment results to plan focused instruction to address those areas.
- Example: Regularly checking student's abilities to decode words to provide instruction where necessary.
9. Frequent Progress Monitoring
- Regular Check-ins: Frequently checking students' progress to ensure they are learning.
- Adjusting Instruction: Changing teaching strategies based on what the student needs.
- Example: Performing weekly reviews of newly learned concepts to ensure retention and mastery.
10. Strategic Coaching to Improve Teachers' Practice
- Professional Development: Providing teachers with training and coaching on structured literacy techniques.
- Teacher Support: Helping teachers improve their instructional skills.
- Example: Teachers meeting regularly to discuss best practices and analyze student performance in reading.
11. A Culture of Continuous Improvement
- Ongoing Evaluation: Constantly evaluating the effectiveness of the approach and making necessary adjustments.
- Adapting Methods: Making sure teaching methods are consistently refined and improved.
- Example: Analyzing school-wide reading assessments to identify areas in which teachers can improve structured literacy practices.
Benefits of Structured Literacy:
- Improved Reading Skills: Students learn to read and write more effectively.
- Reduced Reading Difficulties: Helps prevent and address reading problems, especially those related to dyslexia.
- Increased Confidence: Students who struggle with reading can experience success.
In summary, structured literacy is a comprehensive approach that ensures that all students receive the targeted instruction necessary to become skilled readers and writers.
