Date
16 March 2024

Build reading skills

Learners first need the ability to read and recognise words; secondly, they need the ability to make sense of words and texts.

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Phonics in your reading programme

Phonics in your reading programme

Increasing the amount of explicit phonics instruction in small-reading group time leads to better outcomes.

Effective instruction includes:

Recommendations for teaching beginning readers are outlined by Massey University researchers on pages 23–37.

Source: Massey University early literacy research project (opens in a new tab/window)

Using decodable readers

Using decodable readers

Decodable texts support young readers to read a word by matching letters and sounds throughout the word rather than looking at the first letter and the accompanying picture and “guessing” what the word is.

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Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga

Source:
Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga

Orthographic mapping

Orthographic mapping

Orthographic mapping involves forming letter–sound connections to combine the spelling, pronunciation, and meaning of specific words into memory. 

The video provides a multi-sensory example. Read the video description for detail.

Reading to an adult

Reading to an adult

Many children whose confidence in reading is beginning to flourish can benefit greatly from regular reading to a sympathetic and trusted adult listener. Putting in the ‘reading miles’ at this stage can boost their pace and enjoyment of reading considerably.

Action plans for teaching

Action plans for teaching

Using the simple view of reading, create an action plan for teaching reading based on students’ needs.

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Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga

Source:
Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga

Useful resources

Useful resources

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About dyslexia – Supporting literacy in the classroom

Read time: 137 min

This booklet contains strategies for using a phonological approach to teaching reading and writing in the junior school, strategies for using a multi-sensory approach in the classroom, and accommodations and modifications teachers can make to support students with dyslexia.

Publisher: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga

Download PDF (3.3 MB)

Website

Classroom strategies

Reading Rockets library has effective, research-based classroom strategies to help build and strengthen literacy skills in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing.

Publisher: WETA Public Broadcasting

Visit website

Website

Reading and the brain: Strategies for decoding, fluency, and comprehension

Read time: 16 min

Descriptions of difficulties learners may have, with specific classroom strategies on downloadable PDFs for differing levels.

Publisher: Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario

Visit website

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Support early literacy development through a structured literacy approach”:

Return to the guide “Dyslexia and learning”

Guide to Index of the guide: Dyslexia and learning

Strategies for action:

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