Identify a high-quality evidence-based practice for teaching word recognition in first grade.

• A. Whole-language approach without explicit instruction
• B. Random activities without explicit instruction
• C. Silent reading only
• D. Systematic, explicit phonics instruction that builds decoding skills, plus guided practice with decodable texts and word-reading routines

Answer: (D)

A clear and effective approach to word recognition in first grade is systematic, explicit phonics instruction that teaches how letters correspond to sounds, how to blend those sounds to decode unfamiliar words, and how to apply these skills in reading. This focused instruction gives students a reliable map for decoding, which is essential in the early stages when they are building word-reading accuracy.

Pairing this instruction with guided practice using decodable texts helps students apply decoding rules on words that align with what they’ve just learned, boosting fluency and confidence as they read more smoothly. Word-reading routines—regular, brief practices that reinforce decoding patterns and quick recognition of high-frequency words—create consistent habits that support automatic word recognition over time.

Evidence shows that explicit, systematic phonics instruction yields stronger gains in decoding and early reading achievement than approaches that rely on immersion or unguided activities. In contrast, strategies that lack explicit instruction or rely solely on silent reading or random tasks do not provide the structured support students need to build reliable word recognition in first grade.