Exploring Structured Literacy: What You Need to Know

What is structured literacy? It's an approach to teaching reading that's grounded in the science of how children learn. Unlike more intuitive methods, structured literacy takes a step-by-step, clear-cut road to reading success.

Structured literacy focuses on teaching reading skills in a direct, logical way. Each new skill builds upon the last. It’s particularly useful for students who find reading challenging, like those with dyslexia, but it benefits all students.

Key Points: - Explicit Instruction: Skills are fully explained, removing guesswork. - Sequential Learning: Easier skills are mastered first, paving the way for more complex ones. - Continuous Assessment: Teachers regularly check students’ understanding.

When 47% of students struggle with reading, structured literacy offers a solution. Research even shows that using this method can nearly double reading proficiency rates.

As a literacy expert with over 30 years of experience, I’ve seen the changeal power of structured literacy. My journey in education started in 1990, and since then, I've dedicated myself to helping students overcome reading challenges. Through my work, I've developed resources to simplify and explain reading for students and educators alike.

Let's dive deeper into why structured literacy works and how it can be implemented effectively.

What is Structured Literacy?

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What is Structured Literacy?

Key Components of Structured Literacy

Structured Literacy is a teaching approach that combines evidence-based methods to ensure every child learns to read effectively. It focuses on six key components: phonology, sound-symbol association, syllables, morphology, syntax, and semantics.

Phonology

Phonology is the study of the sound structure of spoken words. It includes phonemic awareness, which is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in words. For example, the word cat has three phonemes: /k/, /æ/, /t/. Activities like rhyming and clapping syllables help develop this skill.

Sound-Symbol Association

Once students grasp phonemes, they learn to map these sounds to printed letters or graphemes. This is often referred to as phonics. Students practice both reading (visual to auditory) and spelling (auditory to visual) to master this skill. For instance, knowing that the sound /k/ can be represented by the letter c.

Syllables

A syllable is a unit of pronunciation containing a vowel sound. English has six basic syllable types: closed, open, vowel-consonant-e, consonant-le, r-controlled, and vowel pair. Understanding these helps students decode and spell longer words accurately.

Morphology

Morphology studies the smallest units of meaning in a language, known as morphemes. This includes roots, prefixes, and suffixes. For example, in the word unhappiness, un- is a prefix, happy is the root, and -ness is a suffix.

Syntax

Syntax involves the rules that dictate the structure of sentences. It includes grammar, sentence structure, and the mechanics of language. Knowing syntax helps students understand and construct meaningful sentences.

Semantics

Semantics is the aspect of language concerned with meaning. It involves understanding the meanings of words and sentences within context. This is crucial for reading comprehension.

Principles of Structured Literacy Instruction

Structured Literacy instruction is guided by three main principles: systematic and cumulative, explicit instruction, and diagnostic teaching.

Systematic and Cumulative

Instruction follows a logical order, starting with the simplest concepts and progressing to more complex ones. Each step builds on previously learned material, ensuring a strong foundation.

Explicit Instruction

Teachers provide clear, direct explanations and modeling of reading skills. There is no assumption that students will infer these skills; everything is taught explicitly. For example, a teacher might demonstrate how to decode a word by breaking it down into its phonemes.

Diagnostic Teaching

Teachers continuously assess students' understanding and adjust instruction accordingly. This can be done through formal assessments or informal observations. The goal is to meet each student’s needs and ensure mastery of each concept before moving on.

Structured Literacy's success is backed by the Science of Reading, a comprehensive body of research on how people learn to read. It also incorporates methods from Orton-Gillingham, a multi-sensory approach that breaks reading and spelling into smaller, manageable skills.

By focusing on these key components and principles, Structured Literacy provides a robust framework for teaching reading. It’s effective for all students, especially those who struggle with traditional methods.

Let's now explore how Structured Literacy compares to other reading approaches and why it often succeeds where others fail.

Comparing Structured Literacy and Other Reading Approaches

Why Structured Literacy Succeeds Where Others Fail

When it comes to teaching kids how to read, not all methods are created equal. Let's explore why Structured Literacy often outperforms other popular approaches like Balanced Literacy, Whole Language, and Guided Reading.

Balanced Literacy

Balanced Literacy tries to combine phonics with whole language strategies. It focuses on shared, guided, and independent reading. While this sounds comprehensive, it often falls short for struggling readers.

Why It Falls Short: - Lack of Explicit Instruction: Phonics is often not taught systematically. Instead, students are encouraged to guess words using context or pictures. - Struggling Readers Slip Through: Kids who can't decode words easily get left behind, relying on guessing rather than actual reading skills.

"Children cannot encode and decode naturally. Balanced Literacy exposes young readers to unfamiliar text causing compensatory strategies, such as relying on picture cues, while valuable instructional time passes." Source

Whole Language

Whole Language emphasizes learning words and phrases naturally through exposure to rich texts. It assumes that children will naturally pick up phonics and spelling through context.

Why It Falls Short: - Three Cueing System: This method promotes guessing based on semantics, syntax, or graphic cues rather than actual decoding skills. - No Systematic Phonics Instruction: Phonics and spelling are not explicitly taught, making it difficult for students to decode unfamiliar words.

"Although phonics, decoding, and spelling are all addressed in word study, they are not explicitly and systematically taught." Source

Guided Reading

Guided Reading groups students by reading level and provides them with leveled texts to read independently. The idea is to give students books that are just right for their current reading ability.

Why It Falls Short: - Not Phonics-Focused: Like Balanced Literacy, it doesn't emphasize systematic phonics instruction. - Leveled Texts Issue: Struggling readers often face texts with words they haven't been taught to decode, leading to frustration and reliance on guessing.

"Guided Reading or Balanced Literacy...are not effective for struggling readers, especially those with dyslexia because they do not focus on the decoding skills these students need to succeed in reading." Source

Key Reasons Structured Literacy Succeeds

Explicitness: Structured Literacy is all about clear, direct teaching. Teachers don't assume students will pick up skills on their own. Everything is taught explicitly, from phonemes to sentence structure.

Systematic Approach: Lessons follow a logical order, starting with simple concepts and gradually moving to more complex ones. Each step builds on the last, ensuring a solid foundation.

Phonics Emphasis: Phonics is a cornerstone of Structured Literacy. Students learn to decode by understanding the relationship between letters and sounds, making reading less about guessing and more about actual skill.

"Structured Literacy supports explicit, sequential, systematic, prescriptive, diagnostic, and cumulative instruction to benefit all learners, both general education and remedial." Source

In summary, Structured Literacy's systematic and explicit approach, combined with a strong emphasis on phonics, makes it more effective for all students, especially those who struggle with reading. Now, let's look at how to implement Structured Literacy in the classroom and the challenges you might face.

Implementing Structured Literacy in the Classroom

Challenges and Solutions in Structured Literacy Implementation

Implementing Structured Literacy in the classroom can be incredibly rewarding, but it's not without its challenges. Let's explore some common problems and practical solutions.

Teacher Roles

Teachers play a critical role in Structured Literacy. They need to deliver lessons with explicit, systematic instruction. But many teachers might not have received adequate training in these methods during their education.

Solution: - Professional Development: Advocate for quality professional learning opportunities. Workshops and courses can equip teachers with the skills they need. - Mentorship Programs: Pairing less experienced teachers with those who have mastered Structured Literacy can be beneficial.

Instructional Materials

Having the right instructional materials is crucial. Many schools may not have access to resources specifically designed for Structured Literacy.

Solution: - Invest in Quality Materials: Schools should invest in decodable books and other resources that align with the principles of Structured Literacy. - Create Custom Materials: Teachers can create their own materials custom to their students' needs, using templates and guides from experts.

Student Engagement

Keeping students engaged is always a challenge, especially with a structured approach that might seem repetitive.

Solution: - Interactive Activities: Incorporate games, multi-sensory activities, and technology to make learning fun. - Real-World Connections: Relate lessons to students' interests and real-world applications to keep them motivated.

Resource Availability

Limited resources can be a significant barrier. Schools may lack funds for materials, training, or additional staff.

Solution: - Grants and Funding: Seek out grants and funding opportunities specifically aimed at literacy programs. - Community Partnerships: Partner with local businesses and organizations to support literacy initiatives.

Teacher Training

Many teachers enter the profession without sufficient training in Structured Literacy.

Solution: - Ongoing Training: Implement ongoing professional development programs that focus on the latest research and best practices in Structured Literacy. - Online Courses: Use online platforms to provide flexible training options for teachers.

Student Diversity

Classrooms are diverse, with students from various backgrounds and with different learning needs.

Solution: - Differentiated Instruction: Tailor lessons to meet the needs of all students, including those with dyslexia and English language learners. - Inclusive Practices: Use inclusive teaching strategies that support all learners.

"Structured Literacy approaches are much more successful than many typical literacy practices for meeting the needs of children with dyslexia and other literacy problems." Source

By addressing these challenges head-on, teachers can create a more effective and inclusive learning environment. Next, let's explore the impact of Structured Literacy on different learners.

The Impact of Structured Literacy on Different Learners

Evidence and Research Supporting Structured Literacy

Structured Literacy has been shown to be highly effective for a broad range of students. From general education to those with dyslexia and struggling readers, let's dive into the evidence.

General Education

Structured Literacy benefits all students, not just those with reading difficulties. In one district, reading proficiency jumped from 47% to 84% after implementing systematic phonics instruction. This approach ensures that every student masters foundational skills before moving on, which boosts overall literacy rates.

Dyslexia

Students with dyslexia often face significant challenges in learning to read. Structured Literacy, with its explicit and systematic approach, is especially effective for these learners. Research shows that this method helps dyslexic students decode words more efficiently, improving their reading skills substantially.

"Structured Literacy approaches are much more successful than many typical literacy practices for meeting the needs of children with dyslexia." Source

Struggling Readers

For students who struggle with reading, Structured Literacy offers a clear path to improvement. By focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, and other core components, it addresses the root causes of reading difficulties. This method has been proven to help struggling readers catch up to their peers.

Studies and Outcomes

Several studies back the effectiveness of Structured Literacy:

• National Reading Panel Report (2000): Found that explicit, systematic phonics instruction is more effective than non-systematic or no phonics instruction.
• Foorman et al. (2016): Highlighted that foundational skills taught in a structured manner significantly improve reading comprehension in early grades.
• Archer & Hughes (2011): Emphasized the efficiency of explicit instruction in teaching reading skills.

These studies consistently show that Structured Literacy leads to better reading outcomes compared to other methods.

Expert Opinions

Experts agree on the benefits of Structured Literacy. Louise Spear-Swerling, a prominent figure in literacy education, states that this approach is more effective for all readers, not just those with learning disabilities. She argues that the systematic and explicit nature of Structured Literacy helps build a strong foundation for reading.

"Virtually all teachers want to be effective with their students. Let’s give them the knowledge and tools to do so." - Louise Spear-Swerling, Ph.D.

By leveraging the strengths of Structured Literacy, educators can make a significant impact on their students' reading abilities. This method is not just a trend; it's a proven, research-backed approach that can transform literacy education.

Next, we'll compare Structured Literacy with other reading approaches to see why it stands out.

Conclusion

How Hello Decodables Supports Effective Reading Instruction

Structured Literacy offers long-term benefits that extend well beyond the classroom. It provides students with the foundational skills they need to become proficient readers, which in turn opens doors to lifelong learning and success.

Hello Decodables is committed to supporting effective reading instruction through our range of educational publishing services, including decodable books. Our materials are carefully designed to align with the Science of Reading, ensuring that they are both effective and engaging for students.

Educational Publishing

At Hello Decodables, we understand that quality educational materials are crucial for successful literacy instruction. Our books are crafted to meet the needs of both teachers and students, providing a structured and systematic approach to reading.

Decodable Books

Our decodable books are a key component of effective reading instruction. These books are specifically designed to align with a structured literacy approach, allowing students to practice new phonics skills in a controlled and supportive environment. By focusing on decoding, our books help students develop the skills they need to become confident and proficient readers.

Aligned with the Science of Reading

All of our materials are based on the latest research in the Science of Reading. This ensures that our approach is evidence-based and effective for a wide range of learners. By using Hello Decodables, teachers can be confident that they are providing their students with the best possible tools for success.

For more information on how Hello Decodables can support your reading instruction, visit our guide to decodable books.

By leveraging the benefits of Structured Literacy and the high-quality materials from Hello Decodables, educators can make a significant impact on their students' reading abilities. This comprehensive approach ensures that all students have the opportunity to succeed and thrive in their literacy journey.