The Simple View of Reading is an idea that explains reading comprehension as the combination of two main components. These are decoding and language comprehension. This theory was developed by the researchers Gough and Tunmer in 1986.

It is older than I am… NONETHELESS, it is still something we need to know about! SVR simplifies the complexities of reading into an easily understandable framework that highlights the importance of both word recognition and understanding language and all teachers need to have a basic understanding of it.

In a nutshell…

Decoding refers to the ability to translate written words into their spoken equivalents. This involves phonemic awareness, which is recognizing and manipulating sounds in words, and phonics, the understanding of the relationship between letters and sounds. Effective decoding skills allow readers to accurately and fluently read words, which is a crucial step toward reading proficiently

Language comprehension is the ability to understand language. Duh. This includes vocabulary knowledge, background knowledge, and the ability to make inferences and understand the structure of language. Even if a student can decode words well, they must also understand what those words mean within a given context with what they are reading.

According to the idea of the Simple View of Reading, both decoding and language comprehension are essential for successful reading. A deficiency in either component can hinder overall reading comprehension. If you think of it as a math problem, Word Knowledge TIMES Language Comprehension EQUALS Reading Comprehension. If you insert a zero into either side of that equation the product will also be zero.

The model emphasizes that teachers should address and develop both areas, ensuring that students not only learn to read words but also derive meaning from them. This clear, actionable framework helps educators improve reading proficiency.

Building on the Simple View of Reading, it is so important for middle and high school teachers to ensure that they are continuing to address word knowledge to enhance their students’ reading skills. Here are four effective ways that secondary teachers can improve vocabulary and word understanding in their classrooms.

1. Spelling Rules

Teaching spelling rules can help students understand the structure and patterns of words, thus enhancing their word knowledge. Here are a few strategies:

• Teach common spelling rules.
• Group words by spelling patterns to highlight similarities and differences.
• Use interactive games and activities to reinforce spelling rules in an engaging way.
• Incorporate regular spelling practice and writing exercises to apply and reinforce spelling rules.

Check out my resources for teaching spelling rules at the middle school level WHILE providing vocabulary instruction as well!

2. Morphological Awareness

Teaching students about the structure of words can significantly enhance their vocabulary knowledge. This involves:

• Teaching the meanings of common prefixes, suffixes, and root words.
• Showing students how to break down complex words into their morphological components to infer the meaning of that word.
• Providing exercises and activities that focus on word-building and word analysis.
• Encouraging students to use knowledge of morphology to understand and decode unfamiliar words across different subjects.

3. Explicit Vocabulary Instruction

Teachers can directly teach important vocabulary words, especially those that are essential for understanding the curriculum or text that students are reading. This involves:

• Pre-teaching critical vocabulary before reading assignments.
• Using strategies such as semantic mapping to show relationships between words.
• Encouraging the use of new vocabulary in speaking and writing exercises.
  • For example, ask students to summarize a lesson or reading and include “five of the following words from the text.”
• Employing interactive methods like word walls, vocabulary journals, and flashcards to reinforce word meanings.

4. Contextual Learning

Integrating vocabulary instruction in a systematic, structured way helps students understand and remember words better. This can be done by:

• Encouraging students to use context clues to infer the meanings of unknown words while reading.
• Incorporating subject-specific terminology into lessons and discussions.
• Using texts from various subjects to provide exposure to a wide range of vocabulary.

I have three versions of Full Year Vocabulary Curriculum that includes explicit instruction of new words while practicing using context clues.

• Level 1
• Level 2
• High School – this one will debut on July 23!

By incorporating any of these strategies into their teaching, middle and high school teachers can effectively enhance their students’ word knowledge. Not only does this benefit the left side of the Simple View of Reading’s math equation, but additionally, teachers are helping students to comprehend the language by building their vocabulary as well. This contributes to better overall reading comprehension.

Want more where this came from? Check out this free #SoRin2ndary Toolkit with all of the information and links you could ever need.