Strategies Used
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Explicit phonics instruction
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Elkonin Boxes
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Spelling-focused word work
Strengths of Strategies
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Systematic and explicit phonics instruction
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Build phonological awareness by segmenting words into sounds or syllables
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Look at the relationship between letters and sound
Weaknesses of Strategies
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Students need more intensive practice and instructional time.
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Wide variety of differentiation and assessment across abilities.
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Pace of student progression through the stages varies.
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Literature Review
Research to Support
Purpose:
When individuals read, the reader must have word recognition strategies to support vocabulary attainment and reading comprehension skills. Students must develop the fundamental skills that letters and sounds work together in a systematic way to form words. Without word recognition skills, individuals struggle to decode unknown words in order to effectively read. In order for individuals to acquire word recognition strategies, individuals must have systematic instruction and exposure to age-appropriate materials. Without the ability to decode words, readers would not be able to read words and as a result, would not be able to comprehend what the message of the word or words are trying to say.Three strategies to help readers decode words are: Elkonin boxes, spelling focused word work, and explicit phonics instruction.
What is Decoding?
Decoding is the process in which an individual looks at the letters and turns the letters into sounds. The visual code (letters) is changed into a phonological code (sounds). In order to decode the words, individuals turn the letters into sounds and then blend the sounds to pronounce or decode the word (Meyerson, & Kulesza, 2002). The sounds then are matched with the pronunciation of a word the individual has stored in their memory. Individuals store the words in their memory because they have heard the words in oral language.Decoding is important because it is the foundation on which all other reading instruction builds. When students learn to decode words, reading fluency increases, vocabulary will increase, and their overall reading comprehension will be better.