Core Reading Instruction Components
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Fluency development is vital to comprehension. A fluent reader identifies words rapidly and accurately with little effort, and therefore is able to focus on meaning. A fluent reader also "interprets" while reading to determine appropriate phrasing and expression. Guided repeated oral reading is a recommended strategy for building fluency in beginning and developing readers. Alphabetics skills are required to develop fluency. Fluency is necessary but not sufficient to ensure reading comprehension.

Vocabulary development is important to reading comprehension in two ways. The beginning reader uses decoding skills to "translate" print into words that are already in his oral vocabulary. At higher reading levels, vocabulary knowledge is critical for understanding increasingly difficult materials. Learners not only need to learn new words; they need to deepen their knowledge of words they already know. Vocabulary instruction should involve direct teaching and context-based approaches. Vocabulary is vital to reading comprehension at all levels.

Comprehension strategies enable learners to monitor their own understanding as they read, and to solve comprehension problems. Teachers provide direct instruction in monitoring and repair strategies. Even accurate, fluent reading does not guarantee comprehension. Specific comprehension strategies may need to be taught.