North Carolina Foundations of Reading Practice Test

Decoding is the process of translating written text into spoken language, and understanding letter-sound relationships is fundamental for mastering this skill. When students have grasped the connections between letters and their corresponding sounds, they can begin to decode words effectively. This foundational knowledge allows them to sound out unfamiliar words, which is essential for reading fluency and comprehension.

Initiating decoding instruction at this stage ensures that students are equipped with the necessary strategies to tackle text independently. This understanding is crucial for literacy development, as it prepares students to engage with a variety of texts and enhances their overall reading abilities. Therefore, focusing on letter-sound relationships is the appropriate point at which to introduce decoding.