Question

Which of the following provides the best rationale for incorporating spelling instruction into a first-grade reading program?

A. Spelling promotes phonemic awareness by teaching students to break words into onsets and rimes.
B. Spelling facilitates vocabulary development by introducing students to new words.
C. Spelling simplifies the reading process by focusing students on a limited set of decoding rules.
D. Spelling supports word recognition by helping students learn and retain common phonics patterns.

Answer 1

Spelling instruction enhances word recognition in a first-grade reading program by helping students understand and remember phonics patterns.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best rationale for incorporating spelling instruction into a first-grade reading program is option D. Spelling supports word recognition by helping students learn and retain common phonics patterns. Teaching spelling in conjunction with reading fosters a deeper understanding of word structures and phonics which are the building blocks of reading. When students recognize patterns in spelling, such as common onsets, rimes, or phonemes, they can more easily decode new words when reading, which is especially critical during the early stages of literacy development. This foundational skill can significantly simplify the reading process as it provides students with the ability to dissect unfamiliar words and understand them in the context of what they're learning about language.