A first grade ESE student is breaking down the word cat like this C-A-T. What strategy is the student using?

A first grade ESE student is breaking down the word cat like this C-A-T. What strategy is the student using?

• A. Phonemic segmentation
• B. Phonics blending
• C. Word mapping
• D. Context clues

Answer: (A)

The strategy the student is using is phonemic segmentation, which involves breaking a word down into its individual phonemes, or sounds. In this case, the student is isolating the sounds in the word "cat" by identifying and articulating each letter's corresponding sound: /k/ /æ/ /t/. This skill is crucial for developing reading proficiency, as it helps students understand that words are made up of individual sounds that can be manipulated to form different words. Phonemic segmentation is an essential component of phonological awareness, allowing students to later blend these sounds back together to form words, a skill vital for reading and spelling. While the other strategies presented focus on different aspects of reading and phonics, they do not accurately describe the process of breaking down individual phonemes as demonstrated in this example.

The strategy the student is using is phonemic segmentation, which involves breaking a word down into its individual phonemes, or sounds. In this case, the student is isolating the sounds in the word "cat" by identifying and articulating each letter's corresponding sound: /k/ /æ/ /t/. This skill is crucial for developing reading proficiency, as it helps students understand that words are made up of individual sounds that can be manipulated to form different words.

Phonemic segmentation is an essential component of phonological awareness, allowing students to later blend these sounds back together to form words, a skill vital for reading and spelling. While the other strategies presented focus on different aspects of reading and phonics, they do not accurately describe the process of breaking down individual phonemes as demonstrated in this example.