Overview & Visual Representation of Skills Needed for Proficient Reading
Outline of Skills Needed for Proficient Reading & Overall Process Required to Develop Skilled Reading
Proficient reading is a complex learned skill requiring the mastery, integration and application of numerous sub-skills and knowledge. Skilled reading involves both 1) establishing a foundation of phonologic processing of print and then 2) developing higher level or advanced skills. To become a skilled reader, the student must first convert print to sound and establish ‘proficient reader’ neural processing pathways. To correctly process print phonologically, the student needs to master, integrate and apply skills and knowledge in phonemic awareness, knowledge of the complete phonemic code, smooth blending, proper directional tracking and attention to detail. After the essential foundation of phonologic processing is established, it is equally important for the student develop advanced or higher level skills including handling multisyllable word, building fluency, expanding vocabulary and developing comprehension skills and strategies.
The diagram below illustrates the complex process of proficient reading by outlining the multiple interrelated skills needed for proficient reading in a flow chart visual representation. While this visual representation provides a beneficial overview of proficient reading, in reality, these necessary skills are not isolated tasks that fit into a rectangle. These interrelated skills needed for proficient reading must be acquired, mastered, integrated, applied and PRACTICED for the student to become a skilled reader!
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Reading is complex! The most effective and efficient method of ensuring your student becomes a skilled reader is to intentionally and directly teach all necessary skills in a complete and systematic manner. Parents and teachers can use targeted activities to directly teach necessary skills, intentionally build correct phonologic processing pathways, and develop higher level advanced skills. To learn how to ensure your child or student becomes a proficient reader explore the informative articles and resources on the Right Track Reading website.
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Translating the science of proficient reading into action! Empowering parents and teachers with information and effective resources to help their children and students achieve reading success!
This information was provided by Miscese Gagen, a mother with a passion for teaching children to read proficiently by using effective methods. She is the author of the effective reading instructional programs Right Track Reading Lessons and Back on the Right Track Reading Lessons as well as a reading tutor with over 20 years’ experience successfully building proficient reading skills in her students. The purpose of this page is to empower parents and teachers with information to help their children achieve reading success. We CAN improve reading proficiency, one student at a time! More information located at www.righttrackreading.com