Learning to read is a complex process rather than a step-by-step process. When children learn to read, they are learning to decode, read accurately and smoothly, learn new vocabulary, and understand what the texts says all at the same time. Since reading involves a complex interplay of skills in the brain, effective reading instruction combines explicit teaching of these skills with opportunities for practice and application in meaningful contexts.
Research suggests that 35–40% of students will learn to read relatively easily with broad instruction. This means that most students will require explicit and systematic instruction to learn how to read. Given this research, we use a curriculum called SIPPS to teach our kindergarten, first, and second graders how to read.
SIPPS is important because it provides a clear progression that teaches foundational skills. When students participate in these types of lessons, they learn that words are made up of sounds, that letters represent these sounds, and that there is a relationship between letters and the sounds they make. Students learn to use this knowledge to decode effectively and efficiently so that they can read fluently and make sense of what they read. They also get opportunities to use what they know about sounds to practice spelling and write sentences.
SIPPS is best taught in small groups, so our model is a true team effort! Classroom teachers, reading interventionists, our multi-language teacher, instructional assistants, family literacy coordinator, early literacy coach, and literacy tutors all work together to teach small groups. We study the curriculum together, analyze data, and use the data to make instructional decisions.
Families also play a role in supporting reading development, and we encourage you to participate actively in your child's reading journey. Whether it's reading together, discussing favorite books, or visiting the local library, your involvement makes a significant difference in your child's progress. Together, we empower our students to become lifelong readers, critical thinkers, problem solvers, and curious learners. If you would like to explore more ways that you can support your reader, check out these reading tips from Reading Rockets in English and 12 other languages:
Article contributed by Alison Miller
