Final answer:
An effective reading program for at-risk and beginning readers should include sight words due to their high frequency in text, aiding in reading fluency and comprehension while balancing literary engagement.
Step-by-step explanation:
An effective reading program for students who are at risk, particularly beginning readers, should indeed incorporate a high frequency of sight words. These words are encountered regularly in text, making them essential for students to recognize quickly to facilitate reading fluency. A strong foundation in sight words enables students to more readily focus on the meaning of the text, comprehend more complex literary elements, and build confidence in their reading abilities. It's essential to strike a balance between teaching sight words and encouraging engagement with interesting content that includes a variety of literary devices, syntax, diction, and images. This dual focus aids in vocabulary expansion and the development of critical reading strategies necessary for academic growth.