From Phonics to Fluency: Applying the Science of Reading to Improve Literacy Outcomes

A skilled reader can teach themself anything. That’s the beauty of literacy! This fundamental skill gives children the ability to learn new information and allows them to pursue interests that can turn into passions simply by reading. Because developing early literacy skills is one of the best ways to ensure lifelong learning and strong academic outcomes, educators are looking to the science of reading (SoR) – a compilation of multidisciplinary research that evaluates how a child’s brain learns to read.

The science of reading has prompted a shift in reading instruction with nearly 40 states passing legislation to ensure that educators adopt evidence-based practices to support literacy development. From improving the pace at which students read to navigating “nonsense words” and language comprehension, teachers are focusing on building the connection between letters and sounds with explicit instruction to remedy existing reading gaps. Read on to learn how science of reading is informing approaches to support student reading success.

The Science of Reading

Many educators are optimistic that literacy outcomes will improve with the adoption of instructional strategies informed by the science of reading. The research suggests focusing on five pillars to transform student reading success: vocabulary, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency and comprehension. As school systems implement the science of reading, teachers are focusing on the building blocks of reading – decoding words by individual phonics to strengthen phonemic awareness.

Why is this so critical? A child’s reading level has a direct impact on their academic trajectory. From a systemic perspective, current reading disparities further exacerbate inequities within the education system. Without reading proficiency, too much information is lost at school. To avoid the ripple effect that puts students at a disadvantage in all subjects, the science of reading prioritizes prevention over intervention by emphasizing foundational reading skills. By increasing evidence-based instruction, the science of reading can guide learners to read with confidence and bring their invaluable literacy skills to enhance every aspect of school.

Supporting Student Literacy With Invention Education

Invention education programs take a holistic approach to education by facilitating hands-on STEM experiences that help children develop the right language and comprehension skills to support innovative traits like critical thinking and creative problem solving. Every child at Camp Invention^®, the K-6 summer program from the National Inventors Hall of Fame^®, receives an Inventor Log filled with colorful graphics that illustrate important STEM concepts to guide students. The Inventor Logs prompt children to use detailed and descriptive language to record scientific findings and communicate their ideas through writing. Whether they craft an entrepreneurial pitch for an invention or write an eco-message to help save the planet, language arts play an important role when students demonstrate their understanding of STEM concepts.

As students benefit from hands-on STEM exploration, the Hall of Fame’s invention education programs also create authentic opportunities to build vocabulary. Kids embrace new terminology and language that add contextual meaning to the hands-on challenges they tackle at Camp Invention. As campers learn words from “prototype” to “trademark,” growing their vocabulary expands their understanding of technical concepts and underscores the importance of language acquisition. In addition, Camp Invention builds traits like persistence to help motivate students to achieve their reading goals.

Find More Reading Tips

At its core, a task as simple as reading instructions correctly underscores the necessity for reading competence. Luckily, the science of reading tells us that we can support this essential skill in more than one way. Want to find more strategies to support literacy within STEM education? Explore our blog for more educator insights.