1st Edition

Teaching the Decoding Triangle A Developmental Approach to Early Literacy Instruction

By David D. Paige Copyright 2026
314 Pages 46 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

314 Pages 46 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

This textbook uses Ehri’s reading phases to explore the fundamental components of word reading to detail a developmental approach to reading instruction that prioritizes the individual reader. Drawing on decades of research, Paige breaks down the science of reading and presents three fundamental concepts to teaching reading effectively:

  • Children differ in the rate at which they master reading skills
  • A teacher deeply knowledgeable in the fundamentals of reading is irreplaceable
  • Awareness that teaching is an art as well as a science

Readers will come away with an up-to-date knowledge of how reading occurs and the skills necessary to implement effective instruction. Chapters address all stages of reading development from early reading instruction to advanced reading development, provide assessment tools, and offer guidance on continuous improvement in literacy instruction. This text is required reading for courses on reading instruction and reading methods.

Introduction

Chapter 1: Evidence versus Philosophy

Chapter 2: From Text to Speech to Understanding

Chapter 3: Theories of Reading

Chapter 4: Reading as a Developmental Continuum

Chapter 5: The Decoding Triangle

Chapter 6: The Pre-Alphabetic Phase

Chapter 7: The Partial Alphabetic Phase

Chapter 8: The Full Alphabetic Reading

Chapter 9: The Consolidated Alphabetic Reading

Epilogue

Biography

David D. Paige is Professor of Literacy and Director of the Jerry L. Johns Literacy Clinic at Northern Illinois University, USA. He is a co-author of Artfully Teaching the Science of Reading and The Reading Steward’s Handbook.