The ability to read is an essential skill in our modern world. Today, reading skills are necessary for everything from ordering food to booking appointments and finding employment. Reading remains the gateway to information and higher learning.
Despite being a key life skill in our society, most children will not learn to read without instruction. While learning to speak and listen is a natural process—typically acquired by immersion in oral language—learning to read is not. It must be explicitly taught. [1&2]
This is because the written word is a human invention that must be taught from one generation to the next. While some students may pick it up more easily than others, all students benefit from explicit, systematic, and sequential instruction—especially those with learning disabilities. [3]
The following graphic highlights key facts about the reading process.
So what are the foundational reading skills that need to be taught?
In this unit, we will explore three frameworks that explain the essential processes and skills required for learning to read:
- The Simple View of Reading
- The Five Pillars of Reading instruction
- Scarborough’s Reading Rope
We’ll also examine how these three frameworks are interconnected to support effective instruction.