The Science of Reading (SoR) is a term used in the educational world to describe the neurological science behind how children learn to read. SoR doesn't really have one concrete definition, and it has taken on many forms as it's popularity is growing across the nation.  The science is a major shift from the more prevalent teachings in schools, called balance literacy.  Strong SoR instruction should include the explicit teaching of phonemic awareness, phonics, oral reading fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Together, these parts of reading combine to make strong, fluent readers.  If you have more questions about the science, or research being done, below are links to a few studies and articles.