At all levels of a child’s education, literacy instruction is provided. Though the most fundamental form of literacy focuses on learning to sound out and read words, literacy also includes the ability to comprehend and remember what has been read. When it comes to teaching reading, the emphasis is usually on phonics or whole-word reading. Instructors frequently teach literary comprehension strategies that students can use while reading to better understand a text.
Phonics is a type of literacy instruction that is frequently used with students who cannot read. This system teaches students which letters correspond to which sounds. Matching letters to objects that begin with the same sound or kinesthetic activities in which students move the appropriate letter when the corresponding sound is heard are examples of practice. The advantage of this type of literacy instruction is that it teaches students how to read words they have never heard before.
Beginning readers may also be asked to memorize commonly encountered words. These words are added to a student’s sight word vocabulary, which does not require them to be sounded out as they are encountered. While teaching whole-word memorization may be effective literacy instruction for some students, many others, particularly those with dyslexia or other learning disabilities, may not be able to learn to read this way.
One of the most important aspects of literacy instruction for students learning to read is giving them plenty of practice time. Literacy takes a long time to master. Students should be exposed to a variety of texts at various levels, including those that they can read independently, with assistance, and that they can understand when read aloud to them. Providing a diverse range of literary experiences allows students to discover topics that they enjoy, increasing the likelihood that they will choose reading as a leisure activity in the future. Students are also encouraged to keep improving their reading skills using leveled reading.
Literacy instruction focuses more on reading comprehension once students have mastered basic reading skills. Although students may still receive assistance when sounding out difficult words, literacy entails more than the ability to read words on a page. Students may be given a variety of strategies for decoding a text and drawing conclusions about it their instructors. As part of their literacy instruction, instructors can model effective reading strategies, teach students how to understand what they’ve read, and give students plenty of opportunities to practice.