Final answer:
The most effective strategy for phonics maintenance is using index cards to review previously taught sound-letter relationships. This approach reinforces repetitive learning and allows for individualized attention to student needs, leading to better retention.
Step-by-step explanation:
To ensure proper phonics maintenance while teaching students, the most effective strategy among the provided options would be B. Using index cards to review previously taught sound-letter relationships. This approach allows for repetitive practice and reinforcement, which are crucial for phonics maintenance. By frequently revisiting the sound-letter relationships, students can retain the information better, thereby preventing the decay of their phonics knowledge over time.
Another strategy like A. Highlighting examples of words in texts that introduce a new spelling pattern can be effective for introducing new concepts but might not be as helpful for maintenance. Similarly, C. Orally manipulating onsets and rimes in word families could be useful in understanding the structure of words, but it might not be tailored towards individual student needs for upkeep of previously taught material. Additionally, D. Modeling how to break words apart into sounds with small groups is an excellent teaching approach, but it is not the most efficient for large-scale maintenance with multiple students.
Using index cards for review helps not only in maintaining the learned phonics but also in individualizing the review process, addressing specific areas where a student might struggle, and tracking progress. This tactile method coupled with visual reinforcement makes it a practical tool for phonics maintenance.