The primary goal of structured literacy is to provide explicit and systematic instruction in all critical components of literacy, enabling students to become proficient readers and writers.
Key Goals of Structured Literacy
Structured literacy (SL) aims to address both foundational and higher-level literacy skills. It emphasizes a systematic approach to teaching literacy, ensuring students develop a strong understanding of language structure.
Foundational Literacy Skills
- Decoding: Teaching students to sound out words accurately and efficiently.
- Spelling: Developing proficiency in encoding sounds into written form.
Higher-Level Literacy Skills
- Reading Comprehension: Enhancing the ability to understand and interpret written text.
- Written Expression: Fostering effective communication through writing.
Core Principles in Achieving These Goals
Structured literacy approaches emphasize highly explicit and systematic teaching of all important components of literacy.
| Principle | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Explicit Instruction | Concepts are directly taught with clear explanations and modeling. | Directly teaching the "silent e" rule and its effect on vowel sounds. |
| Systematic Teaching | Skills are taught in a logical sequence, building from simple to complex. | Starting with basic letter-sound correspondence before teaching blends and digraphs. |
| Cumulative Learning | New concepts are built upon previously learned skills, reinforcing understanding. | Reviewing previously learned phonics patterns before introducing new ones. |
By focusing on these components and principles, structured literacy seeks to equip all learners with the necessary skills to achieve reading and writing success.
