Every day, I work with whip-smart, creative, and informed educators, and I am always impressed by how much they know about the latest-and-greatest educational happenings. From adding play to their pedagogy, to leading lessons on everything from science to social studies, to learning about research in the field of education, teachers, like their students, are always learning.
Which brings me to the Science of Reading…
In some parts of the country, the Science of Reading (SoR) is new. In some states, like our home state of Minnesota, teachers are required to take courses about the SoR to learn evidence-based reading strategies and how to apply them. Currently, 40 states and the District of Columbia have laws on the books requiring science-based reading practices (Just Right Reader, 2024).
What is the Science of Reading?
The SoR refers to the peer-reviewed, rigorous research that explains how humans learn to read, and how reading should be taught (TNTP, 2023). The Science of Reading is applied using these 5 Pillars:
1. Phonological and Phonemic Awareness
The sounds of words. Think of talking on a phone and what it’s like to listen to the other person’s words—this helps us tune in to the individual sounds in spoken language.
2. Phonics
The relationship between the sounds of spoken language (phonemes) and the letters or combinations of letters that represent them (graphemes). The shape of your mouth or tongue is often similar to the letter itself. For example, when you say “L,” the shape your mouth and tongue form resembles the letter “L.” This can be a fun lesson when teaching phonics!
3. Fluency
Reading in a way that is fluid or smooth. Remember when you first learned to read? There was a lot of stopping and starting until you gained fluidity. As you became more skilled, your books became more complex.
4. Vocabulary
Words and their meanings. The more we read, the broader our vocabulary. Reading fortifies our word choices so we can accurately and eloquently articulate our thoughts.
5. Comprehension
Understanding what we read. When you reread, slow down, or look up words you don’t know, you are activating your comprehension skills.
While the five pillars provide a strong foundation, reading development is more complex than any one skill on its own. Scarborough’s Reading Rope offers a powerful visual to show how these skills weave together to support fluent, automatic reading.
What does the SoR mean for teachers?
The Science of Reading provides teachers with evidence-based strategies, ensuring their instruction is aligned with how humans learn to read. Years of rigorous research confirm its effectiveness, leading to a “dramatic leap” in student reading proficiency, with more students reaching or exceeding NAEP levels (NCES, 2024). This means enhanced student learning and more fulfilling experiences for educators!
What does the SoR mean for students?
For students, SoR means relying on scientifically proven reading strategies that work! When teachers align reading instruction with how the brain learns, students’ frustration is reduced and comprehension is increased. Do you remember when (at last) the letters formed words, and you were reading? It felt like walking through a door of discovery, and it can feel like that for students, too. Reading is a skill for all subjects; from science to social studies to mindfulness to math, better reading means better learning.
Resources for Going Deeper with the Science of Reading
Want to dive further into the Science of Reading? Teaching Channel offers a growing collection of courses, tools, and classroom strategies designed to support teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders.
Explore courses like 7 Super Strategies for Teaching the Science of Reading, Shifting Your Focus to the Science of Reading, Six (More) Practices to Shift Your Focus to the Science of Reading, and What Every Educator Needs to Know About the Science of Reading. You’ll also find learning paths focused on fluency, phonics, and comprehension.
LIFT is Here: A New Science of Reading Program for Educators
Teaching Channel’s new Literacy Instruction for Teachers (LIFT) program is now available. Built for teachers, coaches, and school leaders, LIFT offers real classroom video, planning resources, and role-specific pathways to help educators apply the Science of Reading in daily instruction.
If you’re looking for practical, classroom-ready support for SoR implementation, explore everything LIFT has to offer.
About the Author
Susanne Leslie is a Professional Learning Specialist at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.A. in Sociology and a Master’s in Education. As a former parent educator, Susanne’s specialty is Culture, Wellness, and Early Childhood instruction. In her current role, she writes courses and content, and is an enthusiastic advocate for play and time outdoors as the best teaching tools.
Fun Fact: Susanne has jumped out of two (perfectly good) airplanes!
