Learning to read is a complex achievement, and learning to teach reading requires extensive knowledge and skills across the components of word recognition, language comprehension, spelling, and writing. Consider what the classroom demands of the teacher.
Louisa Moats (from AFT’s American Educator)
Reading and Writing Basics
Explore our primer on the key components of reading, including oral language, phonemic awareness, decoding, orthographic mapping, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. Classroom video and voices of experts can help to deepen your understanding of how to support reading success for all our kids.
Reading Rockets is made possible with generous support from the National Education Association.
How children learn to read
Take a look at our amazing “reading brain” and what happens when we process print. Get an overview of the simple view of reading and Scarborough’s reading rope — as well as newer models that expand our understanding of how children become skilled readers. Learn about the typical stages of reading development, beginning with oral language comprehension and word recognition.
What else matters in becoming a skilled reader
Find out why why background knowledge is key to comprehension, and how we can help kids expand their “knowledge bank.” You’ll explore the importance of motivation and engagement in nurturing lifelong readers and learners. And you’ll see how a literacy-rich preschool experience prepares our youngest kids for learning to read and write.
Build your knowledge about reading
Launching Young Readers visits schools and families across the country, highlighting how to help children become skilled readers. And if you are looking to deepen your knowledge of the building blocks of reading and writing, try one of our nine Reading 101 courses, which explore the building blocks of reading from print awareness to comprehension.
Our PBS Launching Young Readers Series
Guest hosts include Fred Rogers, Rita Moreno, Henry Winkler, and Reba McEntire.
Reading 101 Course
Teaching reading IS rocket science. Boost your skills with our free, self-paced learning modules!