A teacher models strategies for understanding the meaning of unfamiliar words while reading a challenging text. Which of the five pillars of literacy instruction is the teacher addressing?

Phonics involves the relationship between letters and sounds, primarily emphasizing decoding words rather than understanding their meanings. While phonics is essential for reading skills, it does not specifically address the comprehension of unfamiliar vocabulary within a text.

Fluency refers to the ability to read text accurately, quickly, and with proper expression. It encompasses the smoothness of reading but does not directly involve the strategies for understanding the meanings of new words. Fluency is more about the performance of reading rather than the interpretation of vocabulary.

Comprehension involves understanding and interpreting the meaning of text as a whole. While it is closely related to vocabulary, the specific focus on unfamiliar words falls under vocabulary instruction rather than comprehension strategies. Comprehension encompasses broader skills, including inference and summarization.