It all begins with the spoken word one hears. Hearing the similarities and differences in the words spoken, lays the foundation for literacy learning.

A reader must be able to build the connections between the sounds one hears and the visual symbols (alphabet letters) one sees. This skill is known as Phonics.

Word Knowledge encompasses two areas; Word Attack Strategies & Vocabulary Knowledge.

Word Attack Strategies offer readers various approaches to decode or recognize, pronounce, and understand unfamiliar words.

Vocabulary Knowledge refers to understanding the meaning of critical words in a text.

Fluency is the ability to read at the appropriate rate, with accuracy, and proper expression. Whether reading silently or aloud, to truly understand what one is reading, fluency is needed.

Comprehension is the understanding and interpretation of what is read, creating meaning. This is the ultimate goal of reading.