What is essential for students to become proficient readers?

Understanding how text components work together is fundamental for students to become proficient readers because it fosters their ability to navigate and comprehend various types of texts. When students grasp how elements like headings, paragraphs, and illustrations interact within a text, they can better make sense of the information presented. This comprehension includes recognizing the structure of narratives, identifying main ideas, and understanding relationships between different parts of the text.

While reading aloud fluently, memorizing sight words, and having a large vocabulary are all important aspects of reading development, they primarily support the process rather than serve as core components of comprehension. A solid grasp of text components enables students to apply their fluency, vocabulary, and recognition of sight words more effectively in context, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding and enjoyment of reading.