Literacy
The Simple View of Reading
The Simple View shows that reading comprehension abilities are dependent on decoding skills and language comprehension abilities. More information.
The Reading Rope
"For many children, learning to read is a challenging undertaking. The Reading Rope, created by Dr. Hollis Scarborough, captures the essence of this task."
Scarborough taught parents that skilled reading as resembling the “strands” of a rope, using pipe cleaners to illustrate the interconnectedness and interdependence of all the components. Learn more here.
The National Reading Panel
"In 1997, Congress asked NICHD, along with the U.S. Department of Education (ED), to form the National Reading Panel. The panel reviewed research [over 100,000 studies] on how children learn to read and determined which teaching methods are most effective based on the evidence." More information.
They concluded that there were five essential components to reading know as "The Big Five" or the "Five Pillars of Reading": Explicit instruction in Phonemic Awareness, Systematic Phonics Instruction, Techniques to improve Fluency, Vocabulary Development, and Reading Comprehension. Source.
National Center on Improving Literacy for Parents & Families
The Kastner Collection: Family Resources for Literary Success
Understood's Reading Skills at Different Ages
What parents need to know about the research on how students learn to read "...a good test parents can use to determine whether a child is receiving research-based reading instruction is to ask their child’s teacher how reading is taught. “They should be able to tell you something more than ‘by reading lots of books’ and ‘developing a love of reading.'"
Put Reading First: Helping your child learn to read, A Parent's Guide and A Teacher's Guide (Preschool - Grade 3)
The Writing Rope
Created by Joan Sedita, 2019. Read her explanation.
The Science of Reading
"The science of reading is a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically-based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing." Learn more.
Disclaimer: The tool was originally developed with consideration of Colorado’s K-3 early literacy initiative (the READ Act) and with the current research into how children learn to read. The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has a recommended list of programs that align with this research, and can be a resource for parents across the country in understanding some of the names of programs that align with this research.
Spelling
"Good spellers aren't born, they are taught! Nearly 90 percent of English words can be spelled if a student knows basic patterns, principles and rules of spelling. Good spellers end up as better readers and writers." Reading Rockets. Read more.