* Phonemic awareness: The ability to hear and identify the individual sounds that make up words.
* Phonics: The relationship between letters and sounds, and the ability to use this knowledge to decode words.
* Fluency: The ability to read quickly and accurately, with good comprehension.
* Vocabulary: The knowledge of words and their meanings.
* Comprehension: The ability to understand the meaning of what is read.
* Critical thinking: The ability to analyze and evaluate what is read, and to make inferences and draw conclusions.
Reading is essential for the acquisition of knowledge and information, and is a fundamental skill for success in school and in life.