Which instructional strategy is best for teaching the relationship between sounds and letters?

• A. Phonics instruction
• B. Reading aloud
• C. Literature circles
• D. Creative writing

Answer: (A)

Phonics instruction is specifically designed to teach students the relationship between sounds (phonemes) and letters (graphemes). This approach focuses on helping learners decode words by understanding how letters combine to represent sounds, which is fundamental for reading and writing. Through phonics, students gain the skills to sound out new words and improve their reading fluency by establishing a strong foundation in understanding the structure of language.

Reading aloud primarily develops listening skills, vocabulary, and comprehension but does not explicitly focus on the sound-letter relationship. Literature circles promote discussion and engagement with texts, helping with comprehension and critical thinking, but they do not target the direct relationship between phonics and literacy skills. Creative writing encourages expression and composition but is not aimed at explicitly teaching the decoding skills crucial for developing strong reading abilities. Therefore, phonics instruction is the most effective strategy for teaching the connection between sounds and letters.