Which instructional strategy can help students improve their decoding accuracy most effectively?

Integrating phonics and syllable types as an instructional strategy is particularly effective in helping students improve their decoding accuracy because it directly addresses the foundational skills necessary for reading. Phonics instruction focuses on the relationship between letters and sounds, enabling students to understand how to break down words into manageable parts. By learning about syllable types—including closed, open, silent e, vowel teams, and consonant-leaded syllables—students gain tools to decode unfamiliar words systematically.

This approach helps students recognize patterns in words, which is crucial for improving both their decoding skills and overall reading fluency. When students can apply their knowledge of phonics and the different syllable types while reading, they become more confident and accurate in their ability to sound out and understand words, ultimately enhancing their comprehension skills as well.

Other options, though beneficial in their own right, do not focus as directly on the mechanics of decoding. For instance, visual aids can assist with comprehension but may not explicitly improve decoding skills. Maintaining high reading rates is important for fluency, yet without solid decoding skills, students may rush through words they cannot accurately read. Similarly, class discussions about texts foster comprehension and critical thinking but do not specifically target the skill of decoding.