STRUCTURED LITERACY STARTER PACK
A practical, research-backed introduction to Structured Literacy from Fluency Fuel. Use this pack to plan instruction, train staff, or share with families curious about how children learn to read.
What Is Structured Literacy?
Structured Literacy is an explicit, systematic, and cumulative approach to teaching reading. It is especially effective for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences, yet it benefits all learners. Instruction follows a clear scope and sequence, building from simple to complex concepts while engaging multiple senses.
The Six Core Components
Phonology
The study of sounds in spoken language. Students learn to hear, identify, and manipulate phonemes—the smallest units of sound.
- Phoneme segmentation
- Blending sounds
- Rhyme awareness
- Sound deletion games
Sound-Symbol Association
The alphabetic principle: mapping sounds (phonemes) to letters (graphemes) and back again. This is the foundation of reading and spelling.
- Letter-sound drills
- Decodable readers
- Spelling dictation
- Grapheme sorting
Syllable Instruction
Teaching the six syllable types helps students recognize patterns, divide longer words, and read with accuracy.
- Closed, open, vowel-consonant-e
- R-controlled vowels
- Vowel teams
- Consonant-le
Morphology
The study of meaningful word parts: prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Morphology builds vocabulary and unlocks complex text.
- Prefix/suffix walls
- Root word families
- Word matrices
- Morphological sorts
Syntax
The rules that govern sentence structure. Explicit syntax instruction improves comprehension, grammar, and written expression.
- Sentence combining
- Sentence expansion
- Parts of speech
- Clause identification
Semantics
The meaning system of language. Rich vocabulary and background knowledge help readers comprehend and connect ideas.
- Word maps
- Context clues
- Read-aloud discussions
- Text-to-self connections
Implementation Checklist
- 1Assess phonological awareness and decoding skills with a research-based screener.
- 2Group students by skill need, not grade level alone.
- 3Choose a scope and sequence that is explicit, systematic, and cumulative.
- 4Use multisensory techniques—see it, say it, write it, move it.
- 5Provide daily practice with decodable and controlled text.
- 6Monitor progress weekly and adjust pacing based on mastery.
The Fluency Fuel Approach
At Fluency Fuel, Structured Literacy is more than a curriculum—it is a commitment to every reader. Our services include Orton-Gillingham-based intervention, Take Flight therapy, individualized instruction, and professional learning for educators. We tailor each plan to the student's profile and measure progress with care.
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