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 Skills and Vocabulary Knowledge.

Word Attack Skills offer readers strategies to decode or recognize, pronounce, and understand unfamiliar words.

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

Without a strong foundation in both of these areas, one will struggle with true comprehension.

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

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

Two keys required to accurately understand written material include::

(1) strong Word Knowledge including the ability to decode - involving Focus Sounds & Phonics;

(2) ability to Create Meaning, making connections between what is read & what is already know.