An example of structured literacy is a teacher helping a student correct a reading error by focusing on the specific sound-spelling patterns within the word.
Instead of simply telling a student the correct word, structured literacy emphasizes a systematic and explicit approach to teaching reading. This involves breaking down language into its fundamental components and teaching these components in a logical and sequential order.
Here's a breakdown of how this might look:
- The Scenario: A child is reading aloud and misreads "stamp" as "stump."
- The Structured Literacy Approach:
- Instead of just saying the word, the teacher prompts the child to look closely at the vowel.
- The teacher might ask: "What sound does the 'a' usually make in a closed syllable (a syllable ending in a consonant)?" or "Look closely at the middle sound. Does 'a' or 'u' make that sound?"
- The goal: Is to help the child apply their knowledge of phonics (the relationship between letters and sounds) to decode the word correctly.
This approach highlights several key principles of structured literacy:
- Explicit Instruction: The teacher directly teaches the relationship between the letter 'a' and its common sound.
- Systematic Instruction: The lesson builds on previously learned knowledge of short vowel sounds and consonant blends.
- Multisensory Approach (potentially): While not explicitly mentioned in the example, a multisensory approach could involve the child tracing the letter 'a' in the air or on a textured surface while saying its sound.
- Diagnostic Teaching: The teacher is able to immediately identify a specific area of difficulty (confusing the short 'a' and short 'u' sounds) and provide targeted support.
Structured literacy is crucial for all students, but it is particularly beneficial for students with dyslexia or other reading difficulties. By providing a solid foundation in phonics and other essential reading skills, structured literacy empowers students to become confident and proficient readers.
