These are the sub-skills students must master to become proficient readers. When a school gives your child a reading test, they are looking to see their level of proficiency in each of these areas.
Letter-Sound Knowledge involves recognizing letters and their sounds, including digraphs and consonant blends.
Phonological Awareness includes rhyming, alliteration, syllable segmentation, and identifying sounds in words.
Phonemic Awareness focuses on individual phonemes, including blending, segmenting, and manipulating them.
Phonics is using letter-sound knowledge to decode printed words.
Orthographic Knowledge is recognizing irregular or sight words and storing them in memory.
Spelling is the ability to correctly write words.
Fluency is reading quickly and accurately, aided by strong phonics and sight word knowledge.
Vocabulary is understanding and using words.
Comprehension is understanding and interpreting text.
Writing involves fine motor skills and letter formation knowledge.
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TestingMom.com focuses on helping children develop and practice these essential reading skills. Our practice questions align with the skills commonly assessed on reading tests and can be beneficial for building a child’s foundational skills and confidence in reading. However, it is important to remember that while test preparation can be helpful, a holistic approach to literacy development, including regular reading for enjoyment, is also crucial for a child’s overall reading success.
The importance of each sub-skill varies at different ages and stages of development. Early readers need to focus on phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency to build a strong foundation. As they progress, comprehension becomes increasingly important. Writing skills also evolve from basic mechanics to more complex, creative, and analytical forms.
Assessment and testing play a role in monitoring progress and identifying areas where students may need additional support. Teachers and educators use these assessments to tailor instruction to each child’s specific needs and to ensure they are meeting age-appropriate milestones in their literacy development.
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