Author

Erika Fruetel

Term

Summer 2023

Capstone

Capstone Project

Degree Name

MALED

Facilitator(s)

Julianne Scullen

Content Expert

Megan Lee

Abstract

The question that guided the research and project development was: What are key components and best practices in early decoding instruction? Throughout recent history, students in the United States have been taught to read based on two main theories: one that approaches literacy learning as natural development that should be supported by surrounding the child with rich and engaging literature, and the other that focuses more intently on teaching the student the patterns of spelling in order to decode words. Although educators have debated which is the most effective approach for decades, research consistently points to the importance of instructing students in phonological and phonemic awareness and having an explicit and systematic scope and sequence for phonics. The literature review was heavily influenced by work by David Kilpatrick, a leading expert in early decoding and phonological awareness instruction, Louisa Moats and Carol Tolman and their development of the LETRS program (2019), which provides knowledge for educators about how the brain learns to read and best instructional practices, Hollis Scarborough’s Reading Rope Theory (2001), Phillip Gough and William Tunmer with their Simple View of Reading (1986), and Linnea Ehri’s Four Phases of Reading Development (2014). From the literature review, a professional development series aimed at early elementary educators was developed to teach about phonological and phonemic awareness: what they are, why they are important in early literacy instruction, and effective strategies for teaching, screening, intervening, and monitoring progress.

Project Type

Professional Development

Keywords

Literacy, Reading, Staff Development

dc_type

text

dc_publisher

DigitalCommons@Hamline

dc_format

application/pdf

dc_source

School of Education Student Capstone Projects

Included in

Education Commons

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