Reading is the ability to decode words and understand their meaning simultaneously. The approach that PRP will take to teaching reading is, therefore, an approach which targets both sides of that equation: the bottom-up skills of alphabetic principle and vocabulary building and the top-down skills that support comprehension. This approach is called a balanced literacy approach. In balanced literacy, the teacher balances the teaching of phonics and the teaching of comprehension. The Pakistan Reading Project will modify the balanced literacy approach by putting an extra emphasis on the building block skills of print concepts, phonemic awareness, and phonics in the early grades of primary school. The use of children’s literature and other authentic texts will be prioritized, but the Pakistan Reading Project recognizes that resources in some areas may be scarce, so the use of textbook texts and teacher and student written materials is also recommended. The important point to remember is that reading is an act of making meaning from text. Children will benefit from a strong link to meaningful, engaging texts, even while they are learning the most fundamental skills. In grades 1 and 2, every day should have some explicit phonics work. In grades 3-4, the focus will move to word study. In every grade, there will be independent reading and read alouds. Teachers should link phonics and word study to texts so that students understand the parts make the whole.