Phonemic awareness
Research has shown that many dyslexics have poor phonemic awareness, which is the ability to separate and manipulate the sounds of a word. Structured literacy instruction involves various exercises to improve phonemic awareness.
Letter-sound associations
Letter-sound associations are taught in two directions: visual to auditory (reading) and auditory to visual (spelling). Students must also master the blending of sounds and letters into words. The instruction of sound-symbol associations is often referred to as phonics. Although phonics is a component of structured literacy, it is embedded within a rich and deep language context.
Handwriting
Handwriting instruction can improve reading and writing skills. Efficient handwriting skills can improve writing quanttiy, quality and speed.
Syllable instruction
Structured literacy includes teaching of the six basic syllable types in the English language. Knowledge of syllable types and syllable division rules is used in decoding larger multi-syllable words.
Spelling
Structured literacy instruction includes explicit instruction of spelling rules and generalizations.
Morphology
A morpheme is the smallest unit of meaning in the language. Structured literacy includes the study of base words, roots, prefixes, and suffixes. This knowledge helps students improve their reading and spelling, as well as their vocabulary.
Fluency
Some struggling readers, even after improving their decoding skills, have challenges in developing automaticity in word reading. Reading slowly makes it challenging to retain meaning. Fluency activities such as fluency drills and repeated oral readings can help to improve reading rate and subsequently, comprehension. Fluency, however, is often slower to improve than decoding for students with fluency issues.
Syntax (grammar)
Syntax is the set of principles that dictate the sequence and function of words in a sentence in order to convey meaning. This includes grammar, sentence variation, and the mechanics of language.
Semantics (comprehension)
Semantics is that aspect of language concerned with meaning. Structure literacy includes instruction in the comprehension of written language.
For more information about ‘Structured Literacy‘ check out the articles at the International Dyslexia Association and the University of Michigan.