Decoding is the process of using known words to figure out unfamiliar words. It is based on the idea of looking for and seeing small words inside larger words. For struggling students, it demystifies reading, removes the fear factor and starts them on the road to becoming fluent readers.

Most importantly, word decoding gives a struggling student a learning tool to tackle his/her fear of reading aloud. When faced with a word that he or she doesn't know, instead of going into panic mode, their eyes quickly scan for the small words that they recognize. Almost immediately, they begin to read independently with more confidence and less dread.

The Decoding Word Method.

Using decoding word lists is the best method to increase reading fluently. Even though initially struggling students can't successfully read a certain word, they usually know the word and use it in conversation. So they just need to recognize and decode the written word that is already part of their speaking vocabulary.

Method: Students highlight the small words within the larger words.
eg., Using"an" and the 'an' family of words:

• an = can = scan
• dance = nonattendance

Should they stumble over a word, simply point out the 'small words' within the unfamiliar word thereby helping them 'decode it' (break it into smaller more manageable segments).

(samples decoding word worksheets)

Reading Fluently

As they learn to read more fluently, their comprehension increases. The words are no longer just a list of individual words to struggle through with all the anxiety associated with that dreaded task, most can finally grasp the meaning of the string of words that make up the sentence.

Struggling readers enjoy working with Word Decoding Worksheets and feel a great sense of accomplishment when they can read and independently recognize word patterns. Young children, in particular, like to rhyme so they enjoy the review and repetition of word families. However, the benefits aren't limited to young learners. Once mastered, this same technique gives a mature student the skill and ability to recognize word prefixes, root words and suffixes, etc. supporting ongoing comprehension.

More information about decoding words.

Word Decoding Worksheets

See our Teaching Resources for Word Decoding Worksheets for worksheets, lesson plans, etc.

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Decode the Way to Reading

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