Phonemic Awareness is one type of phonological processing in which the student can identify and manipulate individual sounds in words. Phonemic awareness is a prerequisite to phonics instruction.  If children cannot hear and manipulate the  ‘phonemes’ within words, they will have a difficult time understanding how sounds and graphemes relate to each other.

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The Alphabetic Principle (or phonics instruction) teaches children to map the alphabetic code (graphemes/phonograms) to the sounds in spoken words. The alphabetic principle teaches children that there is a systematic and predictable relationship between spoken sounds and written letters. “Systematic and explicit phonics instruction is particularly beneficial for children who are having difficulty learning to read and who are at risk for developing future reading problems.”
*quote from Put Reading First

A student who reads accurately and fluently can process words automatically giving them the ability to focus on making connections and comprehending the meaning of the text. Fluent readers read with expression by ‘chunking‘ meaningful phrases and clauses together. They know when to pause and when to change their tone for emphasis.
Fluent readers sound natural, not choppy, when they read aloud. Students can improve their fluency by repeated readings of the same text.

Vocabulary is expanded when children regularly engage in oral language, when they listen to stories being read to them, and when they read on their own. Vocabulary directly influences comprehension.  A student cannot comprehend a text if they do not know what the words mean. “Although a great deal of vocabulary is learned indirectly, some vocabulary should be taught directly.” *quote from Put Reading First

Comprehension is the ability to gain meaning from what is being read.  It is the purpose of reading.  Students who comprehend what they read are purposeful and active as they read.  Comprehension can be improved by teaching comprehension strategies.  Monitoring and ‘fixing up’ understanding while reading, using graphic organizers, answering questions, generating questions, recognizing story structure, and summarizing are six strategies that can be taught through modeling and practice.