Whether you’re a teacher, student, or parent, the process of learning or teaching reading skills can seem overwhelming at times. There are so many different industry words and phrases, it can feel daunting to keep them all straight and apply them in a way that will lead to success.
In today’s blog, Storyshares has compiled a glossary with the top words and phrases to help you with your reading journey. Use this post as a resource, and explore the links under each definition to provide additional context or see what resources and products we have available on the website.
The process of improving literacy is a team effort and Storyshares will always be here to help you along the way!
Decodable Book- books that are written for readers to improve their skills by allowing them to leverage specific strategies associated with phonics and the Science of Reading.
Explore: Storyshares decodable titles in the eLibrary
Phonics - strategy of teaching the skill of reading be demonstrating a word’s sound and their corresponding letters
Read: Phonics Terminology - Equipping Older Reader for Success
Phonics Skills - compiled knowledge of phonics applied during the reading and writing process
Read: Powerful Phonic Instruction for Older Struggling Readers
Phonics Intervention - Specifically planned opportunity to provide phonetic instruction and assist in allowing the skills to be applied and improved upon
Read: Decoding and Spelling Interventions for Older Readers
Science of Reading - the instruction of reading based on five well-researched principles:
- Phonetic awareness
- Phonics
- Fluency
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
Read: Science of Reading and the Practice Pendulum
Literature - art of the written form
Read: Cultural Literacy as a Tool of Conflict Resolution
Literary Resources - Methods to assist using and applying the written form
Read: Enhancing Literary Instruction with Decodable Texts
Educational Resources - Methods to assist parents, teachers, and students work together to improve educational success
Explore: Storyshares’ Educator Resources
Decodable vs Leveled Readers - Decodable readers focus on a specific reading skill at a single time where leveled readers are able to apply several at once.
Watch Now: Webinar on Teaching with Decodable Texts
Grade Level Reading - Students that are able to easily read books and other works that are considered age appropriate
Learn More About Storyshares’ Decodable Titles
Teacher Reading Resources - resources specifically geared towards teachers to help them understand the best methodologies and practices to assist student in improving their reading
Explore: Storyshares’ Educator Toolkit
Student Reading Resources - resources specifically geared towards students to help them apply the reading techniques and strategies learned in the classroom
Explore: Storyshares’ Titles by Skills/Activity
Translated Decodable Books - decodable books that are available in a variety of different languages
Explore: Storyshares decodable titles in the eLibrary
Decodable Chapter Books - decodable books created for high school students and young adults to encourage the progression of their reading skills. Each Storyshares Decodable Chapter Book contains 5-7 discrete decodable texts, presented as individual chapters.
Read: Cutting Edge Literacy Intervention with Decodable Chapter Books
Grade Level Books - Books that are age appropriate and provide the correct level of difficulty and understanding
Independent Reading - Practice of a student or young adult choosing their own reading material outside of what is assigned in a classroom
Read: Why Teens Need Independent Reading
Older Striving Reader - readers who are working on foundational reading skills past 3rd grade
Structured Literacy - explicit reading instruction that includes the five pillars of literacy: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Read: Structured Literacy Blog Series
Educator Companion - a ready-to-use resource for educators that includes best practices, research, and activities that align with Storyshares Decodables
Explore: Storyshares Educator Companion
High-Low Books - books that have highly engaging, relevant content for older readers, written at a lower reading level (grades 1-5)
Read: What is Decodable vs. High-low?
Digital books - books that are available in e-reader or PDF form
Explore: Storyshares E-library
Book Bundles - a group of books packaged by age group, theme, or skill and sold together
Shop: Decodable and High-Low Book Bundles
Intervention Kit - a group of materials and books that provide the instructional resources necessary for literacy intervention
Explore: Middle School Literacy Intervention Kit
Informational Text Companion - a set of informational non-fiction texts that align with a fiction series
Preview: Decodable Nonfiction Text
E-Library - Storyshares digital library platform, offering 500+ decodable and high-low books for older striving readers
Explore: E-library digital shelves
Backpack Test - At Storyshares, all of our books must pass the “backpack test” - they are written and designed so that older students aren’t embarrassed to pull them out of their backpacks in front of their peers
Multilingual Learner (MLL) - a student who is learning in more than one language
Shop: Storyshares Newcomers and Multilingual Learners Bundle
Evidence-based - using the most up-to-date literacy research
Culturally Relevant - books or content that is created with diverse cultures, practices, beliefs, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives in mind
Read: Cultural Barriers blog post