Science of Reading Meets Explicit Instruction – Education Rickshaw
I’m an advocate for evidence-based instruction, and one of the few shining areas in that space is early reading. The science of reading provides a wealth of insights into how the mind learns to decode, comprehend, and engage with text. But simply knowing what goes into a science-based literacy block or textbook isn’t enough—students require a structured, effective delivery system to ensure learning actually place. That’s where explicit instruction comes in.
Explicit instruction is structured, clear, and effective teaching. It removes ambiguity and ensures that all students, regardless of background, receive systematic support in acquiring essential skills. When paired with the science of reading, explicit instruction becomes a powerful vehicle for literacy success.
Recently, I had the chance to discuss this on the Phenomenal Student Podcast with Jeremiah Short. We explored how the missing link in some science of learning initiatives is sometimes a focus on the instruction. You can learn and re-learn about the Simple View of Reading, or Scarborough’s Rope, until the cows come home, but if the kids aren’t listening or thinking, it doesn’t really matter, does it?
If we want lasting change in literacy education, we need to align pedagogy with science. The science of reading gives us the “what,” and explicit instruction provides the “how.” Together, they create a roadmap for effective teaching that benefits all learners.
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