Which resource in a first-grade classroom is essential for supporting phonics instruction?

Decodable texts tied to the instructional scope and sequence are essential for supporting phonics instruction in a first-grade classroom because they provide students with reading material that directly reinforces the phonics skills they are learning. These texts are specifically designed to include words and patterns that align with the phonics rules being taught, allowing students to apply their decoding strategies in a meaningful context.

When students encounter texts that are closely aligned with their current knowledge and practice of phonics, they gain confidence and fluency as readers. This direct application helps reinforce their understanding and mastery of sound-letter relationships. Furthermore, using decodable texts facilitates guided reading sessions where teachers can assess and support each student’s progress based on their phonics skills.

Other resources, such as regular fiction books or general literacy games, do not provide the same focused practice on phonics skills as decodable texts. While video resources with animations can be engaging and helpful for introducing phonics concepts, they do not offer the hands-on practice that decodable texts provide, making them less effective in directly supporting phonics instruction.