To best meet the student’s needs, the teacher should provide instruction in which of the following?

Vowel digraphs, which involve two vowels that together make a single sound, are important but typically come into play after students have mastered basic consonant sounds. While they contribute to reading development, they do not address the immediate need for blending consonant sounds, which is essential for early readers.

CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) word patterns are foundational for beginning readers, as they focus on simple three-letter words. However, mastering CVC patterns alone does not equip students with the skills needed to tackle more complex words that feature consonant blends, which are more prevalent in English.

Root words form the basis of many words and are vital for vocabulary development, particularly in older students. However, instruction centered around root words does not specifically target the phonetic skills needed for blending sounds, which is critical for early literacy development in younger students.