Key Instructional Concepts
Learn about the essential concepts and terms related to research-based reading instruction, including what structured literacy is and how it works in the classroom.
The Reading Universe Taxonomy
Our taxonomy is a scope and sequence for teaching all the skills needed for fluent reading. This interactive tool shows how the major skills are connected — including word recognition, language comprehension, reading comprehension, and writing — and breaks the instructional process down into manageable pieces. Use it as a roadmap for ensuring students get all of the necessary, research-backed skills.
Research-Based Reading Instruction Explained
Understand key concepts and strategies related to structured literacy.
-
What Is Structured Literacy?
Read Our ExplainerThe research-based approach ensures students get the skills they need with no gaps.
-
What Is Word Recognition?
Learn More About Word RecognitionSkilled reading involves instant and effortless recognition of words. To get there, students must learn to break the alphabetic code.
-
What Is Orthographic Mapping?
See the Article on MappingSkilled adult readers have typically "mapped" between 30,000 and 60,000 words into their sight word vocabulary.
-
The Three Learning Disabilities in Reading
Find Out More About Reading LDsChildren with reading disabilities may struggle with decoding, comprehension, or a combination of both. Learn about the three disabilities and how they're related.
-
How to Use Decodable Texts
Learn About These TextsDecodable texts are simple passages or books made for beginning readers that serve a specific purpose: letting students practice reading text with the phonics patterns they know.
-
What is the Writing Rope?
Learn About the 5 StrandsJoan Sedita, the founder and CEO of Keys to Literacy, explains the five strands that make up The Writing Rope, a framework for writing instruction.
Reading Universe is made possible by generous support from Jim & Donna Barksdale; the Hastings/Quillin Fund, an advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (opens in new window); the AFT (opens in new window); the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation (opens in new window); and three anonymous donors.
