5 components of structured literacy

Vaseline

2 min read

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01-09-2024

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Structured literacy is an approach to teaching reading that is systematic, explicit, and focused on building a strong foundation in literacy skills. It is particularly beneficial for struggling readers and those with dyslexia. Here, we will explore the five essential components of structured literacy.

1. Phonology

Phonology is the study of the sound system of a language. This component involves understanding how sounds function and can be manipulated to form words.

Key Elements:

• Phonemic Awareness: The ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words.
• Phonological Awareness: Broader than phonemic awareness, this includes recognizing rhymes, syllables, and onsets/rimes.

2. Orthography

Orthography refers to the conventional spelling system of a language. A solid understanding of orthography is essential for reading and writing proficiency.

Key Elements:

• Spelling Patterns: Recognizing common spelling rules and patterns.
• Word Structure: Understanding prefixes, suffixes, and root words to decode unfamiliar words.

3. Morphology

Morphology is the study of the structure of words and how they are formed. It focuses on the smallest units of meaning within a language, known as morphemes.

Key Elements:

• Base Words: Understanding how base words can be modified with prefixes and suffixes.
• Word Meaning: Recognizing how changes in morphemes can alter the meaning of words.

4. Syntax

Syntax involves the rules that govern the structure of sentences. Mastery of syntax allows readers to comprehend the relationships between words in a sentence.

Key Elements:

• Sentence Structure: Understanding how different sentence types are formed (declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory).
• Grammar Rules: Learning the basic grammar rules that dictate sentence formation.

5. Semantics

Semantics is the study of meaning in language. This component helps students understand the meanings of words and how they relate to one another in context.

Key Elements:

• Vocabulary Development: Building a robust vocabulary to aid comprehension.
• Context Clues: Using surrounding text to derive the meaning of unknown words.

Conclusion

Understanding and effectively implementing these five components of structured literacy can significantly enhance reading instruction. By focusing on phonology, orthography, morphology, syntax, and semantics, educators can equip students with the necessary skills to become proficient readers and writers. This structured approach not only helps those who struggle with reading but also provides all students with a solid foundation for lifelong literacy.