The student's performance on a spelling survey indicates progress in which phonics elements?

The identification of silent e and r-controlled vowels as indicators of a student's progress in phonics elements stems from the specific phonetic patterns that these concepts represent. Silent e plays a crucial role in altering the sound of preceding vowels, often transforming a short vowel sound into a long vowel sound. For example, in the words "cap" versus "cape," the silent e changes the pronunciation of the vowel sound. Recognizing and applying the silent e rule demonstrates a student’s understanding of vowel sounds and their modifications.

Similarly, r-controlled vowels are those that are influenced by the letter 'r' that follows them, which alters their sounds. Words like "car," "her," and "turkey" exemplify how the presence of 'r' modifies the pronunciation of the vowel. Tracking a student’s progress with silent e and r-controlled vowels provides insights into their literacy development, particularly in their ability to decode and spell words effectively.

Recognizing and correctly employing these phonics elements shows that the student is moving beyond simple phonetic patterns and is beginning to understand more complex vowel sounds, which is crucial for developing their overall reading skills.