5 Components of Skilled Reading

Did you know there are 5 main components of skilled reading?

When I took my Orton Gillingham training back in the summer of 2021, one model in particular always stood out to me. 

Maybe it's the visual learner in me, or maybe it's that it took a whole body of research and summed it up in a succinct and clear 5 component model. 

The visual model below created by Dr. Scarborough shows us that learning to read is made up of 5 different components, all of which are essential for skilled reading. 

What Is Scarborough’s Reading Rope?

Scarborough’s Reading Rope is a simple way to understand how children become strong readers. Dr. Hollis Scarborough, a reading researcher, created it to show that learning to read isn’t just one skill—it’s made of many different “strands” that get woven together over time.

When these strands grow stronger and tighter, your child becomes a fluent and confident reader.

2 Main Parts of the Reading Rope:

1. Figuring Out Words (Word Recognition)

These strands help children read the words on the page:

• Phonemic Awareness – hearing and playing with sounds in words

• Phonics – connecting letters to sounds (sounding out words)

• Sight Recognition – remembering words automatically

2. Understanding Stories (Language Comprehension)

These strands help children understand and enjoy what they read:

• Vocabulary – knowing the meaning of words

• Comprehension - understanding what is happening in the text

So why does this all matter so much for you? 

Reading is not natural—kids don’t just “pick it up.”

The rope shows us that children need both skills:

The ability to figure out words

AND

The ability to make sense of what those words mean

Strong readers are built strand by strand. 

Every time you read with your child—whether you practice sounds, play a word game, or talk about a story—you’re helping to weave a stronger reading rope!

Any one else a big Scrabble or Bananagrams fan? 

The vocabulary strand is probably one you are supporting your child with more than you realize! 

The next time they ask you, “wait, what does that mean?” remember you are helping to strengthen their reading rope! 

What's one new word you've taught your child recently?

Happy reading!

Ms. Schelzi