[Listen Again] Ep. 132: Decodable Text Series: The Research on Decodable Text
Jul 26, 2024
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Heidi Anne Mesmer, a researcher specializing in decodable texts, joins the conversation to shed light on their essential role in literacy education. She discusses how understanding decodability can revolutionize classroom practices. From criteria for evaluating texts to balancing decodable practice with meaningful comprehension, listeners will gain insights on fostering effective reading skills. Mesmer emphasizes the importance of active engagement in early reading, and highlights the need for collaboration between researchers and educators to bridge theory and practice.
Decodable texts should align with phonics instruction to enhance decoding skills and foster student confidence in reading.
Teachers must emphasize word meanings alongside phonics skills, using relatable themes to enrich students' literacy experiences.
Deep dives
Understanding Decodable Texts
Decodable texts are specifically designed to align with phonics lessons, meaning they contain words that match the phonetic patterns students are learning. This instructional approach incorporates two key features: lesson-to-text match and a focus on high-frequency words, such as 'the,' which are prevalent in English. The text must provide opportunities for students to decode words they are familiar with, reinforcing their phonics knowledge in a practical context. A well-structured decodable text gradually introduces complex words as students progress, allowing them to build decoding skills over time.
Classroom Implementation Strategies
Effective use of decodable texts in the classroom involves ensuring that these texts are integrated with phonics instruction and not treated merely as stand-alone materials. Educators should model the decoding process, guiding students through sounding out words and practicing blending to build confidence. It is also vital to avoid pre-reading the entire text for students, as this undermines their ability to practice decoding on their own. Instead, educators can conduct a 'book walk' to preview the text and highlight words students have previously learned, fostering engagement before reading.
The Importance of Meaning in Decoding
Understanding the meaning of words is an essential element of the decoding process, as students must connect phonics skills with comprehension. Teachers should not only focus on the mechanics of reading but also explain the meanings of less familiar words to enhance vocabulary and context. Using relatable and culturally relevant themes in decodable texts can further enrich students' reading experiences and facilitate their understanding. By granting insights into meanings, teachers help students internalize words, supporting their overall literacy development.
Do's and Don'ts of Using Decodable Texts
Educators should follow specific do's and don'ts to optimize the use of decodable texts in the classroom. Key practices include coordinating reading sessions with recent phonics lessons, ensuring students can apply their learned skills, and encouraging repeated readings to improve fluency. It is important to avoid expecting students to read decodable texts silently, as they benefit more from verbal practice during their early stages of reading development. Additionally, fostering a positive atmosphere around the reading experience, where students celebrate their decoding achievements, significantly boosts their self-efficacy and love for reading.
Researcher Heidi Anne Mesmer joins the podcast to discuss the research on decodable text and dos and don'ts for classroom practice. Thinking about decodability as a meter from most to least decodable to the reader is important. A child who reads a text by sounding out and decoding words will experience a milestone of childhood: the feeling of reading. This also supports orthographic mapping.