Big Six...A Necessary Framework

As an educator, regardless of the reading program my district required I use, I always considered the "Big Six" components of reading instruction because these elements are scientifically proven to be essential for developing strong, proficient readers. These six  pillars are:

1. Oral Language

2.  Phonemic Awareness

3.  Phonics

4.  Fluency

5.  Vocabulary

6.  Comprehension

Here’s why they matter universally:

1. They Represent the Core of How Reading Works

Each of the Big Six targets a specific cognitive skill necessary for reading. Together, they form a complete framework:

• Oral Language is the foundation for reading and writing. A strong command of spoken language supports vocabulary development, sentence structure understanding, and listening comprehension. Regardless of the reading program, students need to 

            communicate, listen, and understand spoken language to make sense of written text.

• Phonemic awareness helps students understand and manipulate the sounds in spoken words.

• Phonics connects those sounds to letters and helps students decode written text.

• Fluency builds speed and accuracy, enabling smoother reading.

• Vocabulary ensures students know the meaning of the words they read.

• Comprehension allows them to make sense of and engage with the text         

Regardless of the program used, omitting any of these risks will leave students with critical skill gaps.

2. They Provide a Research-Based Foundation

The National Reading Panel and subsequent studies have shown that these six elements are non-negotiable for effective reading instruction. Programs that neglect or underemphasize any of them tend to be less effective, especially for struggling readers.

3. They Ensure Equity in Instruction

When educators use the Big Six as a lens, they can evaluate and supplement any program to meet the needs of all students. This is especially important for students with dyslexia, English language learners, and others who need more structured support.

4. They Create a Common Language and Framework

When all educators—classroom teachers, interventionists, administrators—align around the Big Six, it creates consistency across grade levels and schools. This shared foundation enables teams to collaborate, track progress, and make informed instructional decisions.

5. They Empower Teachers to Think Critically

Rather than blindly following a program, teachers who understand the Big Six can adapt and fill gaps in instruction. This helps them meet diverse student needs and stay responsive rather than rigid.

The Big Six in Effective Reading Instruction...Fitting it All In! PHONICS!

Phonics 

Explicit and systematic phonics instruction is critical for young readers. Direct instruction in this area is crucial and needs to be a part of our daily literacy routine. 

In my classroom, I used a simple 6-step method for teaching phonics. 

As a daily intro to the literacy block, I  meet with all students to go through these six steps to work through our spelling patterns and new words for the week. 

1.  Introduction...Develop Phonemic Awareness...I use Elkonin boxes, also known as sound boxes, to help my readers build (continue to build) phonological awareness skills by segmenting words into individual sounds (phonemes).  I would draw one box for each sound in target words. I also use the Elkonin boxes in phonics instruction to support phoneme-grapheme mapping.

2. Introduce/Practice Sound/Spelling...Introduce the new phonics concept explicitly. This might involve explaining a new letter-sound relationship, a spelling pattern, or a decoding strategy. The introduction should be clear and concise, providing a strong foundation for the subsequent steps.

3. Modeling/ Blend Words...In this step, demonstrate how to apply the phonics concept through modeling. You might read aloud, highlighting the target sounds or spelling patterns, and showing how to blend sounds to form words. This visual and auditory demonstration helps students understand how to use the phonics rule in practice.

4. Guided Practice/Build Automatic Word Recognition...Students practice the new concept with teacher guidance. This involves activities where the teacher can provide immediate feedback and support. Guided practice might include reading words, sentences, or short passages that focus on the targeted phonics rule, with the teacher assisting as needed.

5.  Independent Practice/Apply to Decodable Text...Students work independently to apply the phonics concept. This step reinforces learning through practice without immediate teacher support, helping students to internalize the new skills. 

6. Word Work for Decoding and Encoding...Students apply the phonics concept in more comprehensive reading and writing activities. This step ensures that students can transfer their phonics knowledge to real-world contexts, enhancing reading fluency and comprehension. Application activities might include reading books that incorporate the new phonics rule, writing stories or sentences, or engaging in spelling exercises.

Each of these steps builds on the previous one, ensuring a thorough and methodical approach to phonics instruction. This structured method helps students develop a solid understanding of phonics, which is crucial for reading and writing proficiency.