Read by 4th Glossary: Key Literacy Terms You Gotta Know
We talk a lot about early literacy. But let’s face it—the literacy world has way too much jargon. Big, fancy words that overcomplicate things and make it harder for all of us to be on the same page. We’re not about that.
Here’s a no-fluff guide to the key terms that matter to Philly’s early literacy movement.
Who We Are
Read by 4th
We’re Philly’s early literacy movement. Read by 4th is a powerful collective of family, community and system leaders working together to make sure Philly’s children become the strong readers they deserve to be.
New partners are always welcome!
Reading Captains
Reading Captains are the heartbeat of our movement! These Philly neighbors volunteer to share literacy information and resources with parents and caregivers in their community. They also make sure community voices help lead this work and are incredible advocates for change.
The Big Picture
Literacy
Literacy is the ability to read, write, and communicate effectively. Literacy isn’t just about books—it’s about understanding the world around you, having more tools to express yourself, power, and opportunity.
Collective Impact
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Collective Impact is when a bunch of organizations and people join forces, align their efforts, and work to move the needle on big issues—like making sure all kids read at grade level. It’s the model we follow at Read by 4th because we know we can accomplish more together than we ever could alone.
Systems Change
Systems change is when you tackle the root causes of big problems by shifting the structures, policies, mindsets, and power dynamics that keep things stuck. For us, it’s not just about helping one child learn to read (though that direct work is essential)—we’re focused on understanding why our children aren’t reading and transforming the whole system so every child has what they need to succeed.
It’s tough work, it’s long-term, but it's what it takes to create lasting change.
Press play to explore what systems change is all about.
Opportunity Gap
It’s not just an “achievement gap”—that puts the blame on children. The opportunity gap highlights the real issue: Some students—too often Black, Latino, and Indigenous children and those from low-income backgrounds— don’t get the same resources, support, or high-quality education as others. And that’s just not right.
Equity
Fair isn't always equal. Giving every child the same thing sounds nice, but it doesn’t work if some kids start with less. Equity means making sure every person gets what they need to succeed—whether that’s extra support, diverse books, or a whole new approach to teaching. It’s about leveling the playing field so all children have a shot at thriving.
Dyslexia
A brain-based learning difference that makes reading, spelling, and writing extra challenging—but NOT impossible. People with dyslexia are just as smart as their peers; they just need the right support. And here’s the thing—what helps kids with dyslexia often helps all children learn to read better.
While Read by 4th is not focused on dyslexia, we have to give a huge thank you to the dyslexia researchers and advocates who have spent decades driving change and moving the entire literacy community forward.
👏👏👏
How Children Learn To Read
Learning to read is complicated. It requires mastering many skills—some visible, others under the surface. And it doesn’t just happen on its own. Children need caring adults—parents, teachers, neighbors, barbers, aunties, you name it—to teach them these skills on purpose and with love.
Simple View of Reading
How reading works made easy:
Can you read the words by breaking down the letters into sounds? (Decoding)
Do you understand what these words mean? (Language Comprehension)
Master both, and boom—you’ve got it. You’re reading.
Science of Reading
Decades of research have proven how children (and adults) learn to read. Spoiler: It’s not just about surrounding them with books and hoping for the best. And it’s definitely not about guessing. Phonics, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension—these skills all matter and must be explicitly taught in a direct and structured way.
Print Awareness
Understanding that books have titles, pages turn a certain way, and sentences go from left to right. This is often one of the first steps for young readers.
Alphabet Knowledge
Knowing your ABCs is more than just singing the song. Alphabet knowledge means recognizing letters—knowing their names, the sounds they make, and their shapes. It’s the foundation for reading because if kids don’t know their letters, they can’t sound out words.
Phonological Awareness
Being able to hear, recognize, and play with the sounds in spoken words.
Phonics
Knowing the relationships between letters and the sounds they make. No guessing. No memorizing.
(Think s = ssssss)
Decoding
Knowing what sounds letters make and blending them together to read.
(Think c-a-t = cat)
Letter and Word Recognition
Seeing a letter or word and knowing it instantly. The quicker a child recognizes words, the smoother their reading becomes.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary is the collection of words we know and use to express ourselves. It’s like the toolkit for communication—whether you're reading, writing, or talking. The more words a child knows, the better they understand what they read.
Background Knowledge
Reading isn’t just about words—it’s about understanding the world. A child who’s never seen snow is going to struggle with a book about sledding. Experiences, conversations, and exposure to new things build the background knowledge that makes reading make sense.
Comprehension
Comprehension is the whole point of reading. It’s not just saying the words—it’s understanding them, making connections, and thinking critically about what they mean.
Fluency
Reading that’s smooth, quick, accurate, and not choppy. For early readers, this one often takes time and practice to master.
What We’re Working on Together
Read by 4th partners are coming together across every sector and neighborhood to push these strategies forward—all with one goal in mind: making sure more of Philly’s children read at grade level by 4th grade.
Family Engagement
Parents and caregivers are a child’s first and most important teachers—but they need support, too. Family engagement means helping families build positive literacy habits in everyday life, from reading bedtime stories to going on an alphabet adventure at the grocery store. But it’s not just about giving resources—it’s about listening to families, understanding their needs, and making sure they have a voice in the fight for early literacy. When families are empowered, kids thrive. Simple as that.
Diverse Books
Diverse books are stories that reflect a variety of cultures, identities, and lived experiences. We believe every child deserves to see themselves in the pages of a book. And that reading about experiences different from your own helps build empathy and the type of world we want to live in.
Quality Literacy Instruction
It’s all about the Science of Reading and giving educators the right tools, training, and support to help them do what they do best. Because when teachers have what they need, children get what they deserve.
High-Impact Tutoring
Not just any tutoring—this is the good stuff. One-on-one reading instruction tailored to the unique needs of a child and facilitated by an individual trained in a research-based approach. It’s frequent, focused, and designed to make a real difference, especially for kids who need extra help.
Community Mobilization
It takes a village. Community mobilization is when neighbors, barbers, church leaders, and local organizations step up—knowing they have a role in growing strong readers. It’s about using their influence, spaces, and voices to make sure every child gets the literacy support they need.
Public Advocacy
Public advocacy is speaking up and showing out for what’s right. For us, it’s about pushing for the policies, funding, and systems that actually help children learn to read. Whether it’s rallying at City Hall, signing petitions, or making noise on social media—when enough people demand better, leaders have to listen.
So there you have it. The need-to-know literacy lingo we live by. If you ever hear a term and aren’t sure what it means, just ask!
