Reading Skills Checklist

Many areas need to be addressed while learning to read. Initially, word attack skills are necessary. A
reader needs to have a consistent approach to breaking down the unknown words. Next, a good base of instant
word recognition and symbol imagery is mandatory. Recognizing words instantly and quickly aids the brain to
understanding. Thus, having a reading skills checklist is important for both educator and student.

How does one know if reading assistance is necessary? There are three ways to check. Notice if the phonemic
awareness is weak. If it is, the phonic skills need to be taught so the student may have that consistent approach to
reading words unknown to him or her. Then, check for symbol imagery. Does the student have a list of words
that is recognized instantly? A good vocabulary is needed to be able to use contextual clues while reading.

Finally, just because words can be read does not mean that what is read is also understood. The reader must
comprehend and understand what is being read.

The goal for every reader is to work independently. In order to be independent, the reader must be able to self-
correct as well as monitor his/her own reading while giving some sensory input.

Learning to self-correct involves many steps. Much has been written in the area of reading especially how it
involves the brain. We’ve been taught that the left hemisphere becomes active when letters and/or words are
presented. And, likewise, the right hemisphere becomes active when there is an image presented.

To be a successful reader, both sides of the brain need to become active. When words change to pictures in your
mind, pictures change back to words to help you verbalize. Both sides of the brain are activated. The words stay
in your head in the form of pictures. This will help you remember what you read and what you hear.

Questions such as:

“Does what I read make sense?”

“Does what I say match what I see?”

helps the learner to self correct what is read as well as what is being understood. This leads to understanding and remembering what is read.

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