What instructional strategy is used to teach students decoding and vocabulary skills necessary for reading?

The selected answer focuses on an instructional strategy that specifically targets the understanding of word structures, spelling patterns, and the relationships between sounds and letters. Word work encompasses a range of activities that help students explore words in-depth, enhancing their decoding ability and vocabulary knowledge, which are crucial for effective reading.

Through word work, students engage in hands-on and interactive tasks, such as sorting words, manipulating phonemes, and participating in word sorts, which strengthen their ability to decode unfamiliar words while simultaneously expanding their vocabulary. This approach is particularly advantageous as it fosters an understanding of word meaning and usage, which are essential components of reading fluency and comprehension.

In contrast, other options like phonics instruction focus more narrowly on the relationship between letters and sounds, while reading comprehension emphasizes understanding and interpreting text, and fluency training is aimed at improving speed and accuracy in reading. Hence, word work encapsulates a broader strategy that integrates decoding and vocabulary building in a cohesive manner, making it a vital part of effective reading instruction.