Reading comprehension starts with recognizing words quickly and accurately. But many students in grades 6–8 still lack automatic word recognition. The solution? Go back to decoding.
Why Decoding Still Matters
- Struggling readers often guess or skip unfamiliar words
- Poor decoding leads to slow reading and poor comprehension
- Without decoding skills, students cannot access grade-level content
What to Teach in 6–8
- Syllable types and syllable division rules
- Morphology and multisyllabic word strategies
- Prefixes, suffixes, and Greek/Latin roots
- Decoding + encoding (spelling) routines
Effective Programs for Older Students
- Phonics for Reading
- Rewards Intermediate
- Six Syllable Types Plus
- Really Great Reading
Don’t assume your students are too old for phonics. They’re not. A return to decoding is the most effective path toward literacy for struggling middle school readers.