The 5 Reading Components
1. Phonemic Awareness
Phonemic awareness in consonants:
Being able to hear two similar words with different initial consonants, and tell whether the initial sounds are the same or different. Examples: mat-set; big-beg
Being able to hear two similar words with different final consonants, and tell whether the final sounds are the same or different. Examples: sat-sad; met-mat
Do the same with consonant endings.
Phonemic awareness in vowels:
Being able to hear two similar words with different vowel sounds, and tell whether the vowel (medial) is the same or different. Examples: mane-cane; pin-pen
Taken from: The Reading Teacher's Book of Lists.
Written by: Edward B. Fry and Jaqueline E. Kress
2. Phonics
Phonics is a child's ability to understand that letters represent sounds in our language.
3. Fluency
Fluency is reading smoothly and with ease, as well as, being automatic, accurate and reading with expression. All of these characteristics play into your child reading fluently.
4. Vocabulary
Vocabulary is understanding the meaning of the words you read.
5. Comprehension
Comprehension is whether or not your child fully understands what he or she reads. To test this have your child read the text to you and then ask them questions pertaining to you.