The Brain Learning To Read

The Brain Learning To Read

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Learning to Read

References

Activities & Examples

Fundamentals of Learning

Introduction

The Brain

Eroz SoteloUniversity of the Southwest Module 1 Assignment Regina Reber Brain Based Learning

Learning to read is not something the brain automatically does, we have to teach and activate our brains to make connections between letters, sounds, and words. This infograph will show how different parts of the brain work together to process written language.

✅ Phonemic Awareness – The ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. 🔹 Example: Recognizing that "cat" has three sounds. ✅ Phonics – Understanding the relationship between letters and their corresponding sounds. 🔹 Example: Knowing that "sh" makes the sound in "ship." ✅ Fluency – The ability to read smoothly, accurately, and with proper expression. 🔹 Example: Reading a sentence effortlessly without pausing to sound out words. ✅ Vocabulary – The words a reader must know to understand text. 🔹 Example: Recognizing and knowing the meaning of "gigantic" without having to look it up. ✅ Comprehension – The ability to understand and interpret text. 🔹 Example: Making connections between what is read and prior knowledge to grasp deeper meanings.

Fundamentals of Learning to Read

The Brain relies on multiple regions to read effectively:🧠 Visual Cortex (Occipital Lobe) – Recognizes letters and words by processing visual input. 🧠 Angular Gyrus (Parietal Lobe) – Converts written letters into sounds and helps with decoding. 🧠 Wernicke’s Area (Temporal Lobe) – Processes word meaning and comprehension. 🧠 Broca’s Area (Frontal Lobe) – Helps with speech production and fluency. 🧠 Corpus Callosum – Connects both hemispheres to integrate visual and auditory information. Reading starts as a slow, conscious process but, with practice, becomes automatic as neural pathways strengthen.

How the Brain Processes Reading

🔹 Pattern Recognition: The brain identifies common letter combinations and their sounds. 🔹 Repetition & Practice: Repeated exposure strengthens connections between letters, sounds, and meanings. 🔹 Multisensory Learning: Engaging multiple senses (seeing, hearing, speaking, and writing) helps reinforce reading skills. 🔹 Word Recognition & Prediction: Over time, the brain recognizes whole words instantly and predicts meaning based on context.

How the Brain Learns to Read

🎵 Rhyming Games – Strengthens phonemic awareness by helping children recognize sound patterns.🔹 Example: Asking, "What rhymes with ‘bat’?" and encouraging responses like "cat" or "hat." 🔤 Letter & Sound Matching – Connects letters to their corresponding sounds.🔹 Example: Using flashcards with letters and pictures to reinforce letter-sound relationships. 📖 Read-Alouds & Shared Reading – Builds fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.🔹 Example: Reading a story together and discussing key points to boost understanding. 🧩 Word Puzzles & Games – Enhances vocabulary and word recognition.🔹 Example: Crossword puzzles, word searches, or Scrabble-style games to reinforce spelling and meaning. 📝 Writing & Spelling Activities – Strengthens the connection between reading and writing.🔹 Example: Writing simple sentences using new vocabulary words to reinforce their meanings.

Brain Boosting Reading Activities

Eckert, K., & Frumkin, L. (2024). Jump into Reading: An Initiative Supporting Children Learning to Read. Children & Libraries, 22(4), 8-10. https://doi.org/10.5860/cal.22.4.8 Band, B. (2022). SLA Websites: Teaching Phonics. The School Librarian, 70(3), 32. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/sla-websites-teaching-phonics/docview/2717150111/se-2 Willis, J. (2008). Teaching the brain to read : Strategies for improving fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development.

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