The Big Five of Reading Instruction
What comes to mind when you think of good reading instruction?
The alphabet?
Hooked on Phonics?
Dr. Seuss?
Read alouds?
There are five components of good reading instruction according to the National Reading Panels’s report in 2000:
THE BIG FIVE
- Phonemic Awareness: “the ability to notice, think about, and work with individual sounds in words” (Partnership for Reading, 2003)
- Phonics: the relationship between letters/letter combinations in written language and the 44 sounds of spoken English
- Vocabulary Development
- Reading Fluency
- Reading Comprehension Strategies
Ask your child’s teacher if her classroom reading program targets the five components of good reading instruction. They are beneficial for all students, not just those with dyslexia.
Children who have dyslexia typically have weaknesses in one or more of these components. Their reading skills are like Swiss cheese – solid in some places, but there are big holes throughout. At the Nashville Dyslexia Center, we spend the first weeks of our tutoring program building up the 7 essential phonemic awareness skills. Only when they are mastered, do we go on to target other components of the Big Five.
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We’re Nashville Dyslexia Center, your go-to stop for online dyslexia tutoring. We’re here to help overwhelmed parents get the reading help they need. Our mission? To see your child thrive - both academically and personally.
TESTS OF DYSLEXIA
Concerned about dyslexia but unsure where to start? Get started with the diagnostic index.
VIDEO RESOURCES PLAYLIST
01. About NDC
Hear from two clients and their childs’ success.
02. Getting a Diagnosis
for dyslexia
03. Language Development
Insight from a Speech Language Pathologist
GET STARTED
READ THE LATEST POSTS
Episode 1: Jacob Blumenstein of KidsRead2Kids
In Episode 1 of the Nashville Dyslexia Center series, Jacob Blumenstein, founder of KidsRead2Kids, shares his passion for helping struggling readers find confidence and joy in reading. This inspiring conversation explores how early experiences with literacy challenges can spark meaningful work, and how compassion, creativity, and structured guidance make a real difference for learners of…
Episode 2: Diagnosing Dyslexia with Dr. Jackie Klaver
Understanding whether a child has dyslexia can be both empowering and overwhelming for families. In Episode 2: Diagnosing Dyslexia with Dr. Jackie Klaver, the Nashville Dyslexia Center brings clarity to the dyslexia assessment process by talking with Dr. Klaver — an experienced neuropsychologist — about what evaluations involve, when to seek one, and how results…
Episode 3: Understanding the Emotional Side of Dyslexia with Tricia Thornton
Dyslexia is most often defined by language-based learning differences — difficulties with decoding, spelling, and reading fluency. But there’s another side to dyslexia that isn’t talked about as often: the emotional experience. In the Nashville Dyslexia Center video “Understanding the Emotional Side of Dyslexia with Tricia Thornton,” families are guided through how dyslexia can impact…
Episode 4: Nicole Holcomb of the Dyslexia Mom Life
When a child struggles with reading, it affects the whole family. Episode 4: Nicole Holcomb of the Dyslexia Mom Life offers an honest and heartfelt look at one parent’s dyslexia journey. Nicole Holcomb — educator, attorney, and founder of Dyslexia Mom Life — shares her family’s experience with dyslexia, including early concerns, the emotional impact,…
Episode 5: Author Cigdem Knebel of Simple Words Books
Dyslexia doesn’t just challenge readers — it also inspires creators. In Episode 5: Author Çiğdem Knebel of Simple Words Books, the Nashville Dyslexia Center highlights how one author’s understanding of dyslexia fuels her mission to make reading more approachable and joyful for children. This episode celebrates creativity, inclusion, and the power of thoughtful book design…
Episode 6: Andra Harris, Author of Magnificent Meg
In Episode 6 of the Nashville Dyslexia Center series, author Andra Harris shares a compelling story of creativity, resilience, and advocacy. Known for her book Magnificent Meg, Andra opens up about her personal journey with dyslexia — transforming her experiences into a creative work that not only entertains, but empowers young readers who may feel…
Episode 7: A Parent’s Perspective — A Real Look at Dyslexia and the Family Journey
Every family’s experience with dyslexia is unique, but there are common threads that many parents recognize: early confusion, unanswered questions, and the desire to find help that actually works. In Episode 7: A Parent’s Perspective, the Nashville Dyslexia Center shares a heartfelt and honest conversation with a parent whose child has navigated reading struggles, evaluations,…
Episode 8: Marc Hoffman, Educational Entrepreneur and Dyslexic
In Episode 8 of the Nashville Dyslexia Center series, Marc Hoffman shares a candid and inspiring story about growing up with dyslexia and later becoming an educational entrepreneur. His journey highlights how struggling with a learning difference doesn’t have to limit a person’s potential — and in many cases, it can shape strengths that lead…
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