A third-grade student struggles to read words with complex letter combinations. What is the most effective intervention strategy for this student?

The most effective intervention strategy for a student struggling with complex letter combinations is instruction on decoding consonant clusters as chunks. This method directly addresses the student's difficulties with the specific components of reading that involve complex letter combinations, such as consonant clusters. By teaching the student to recognize these clusters as single units, they can more easily decode and read multi-syllabic words, ultimately enhancing their overall reading fluency and confidence.

Decoding consonant clusters is crucial because it helps students break down words into manageable parts. When students learn to identify common clusters and understand how they function together, they can more effectively tackle unfamiliar words that they encounter in reading. This strategy builds a foundational skill that is essential for progressing in reading ability, especially when faced with more challenging texts that include these complex structures.

Other intervention strategies, while beneficial in their own right, do not directly target the specific issue of complex letter combinations as effectively as focusing on decoding consonant clusters. For instance, rereading passages or practicing sight words can reinforce fluency and recognition but may not specifically address the student's underlying challenges with decoding. Similarly, using context clues is a valuable reading strategy that aids comprehension, but it does not provide the targeted decoding support that the student needs to improve their ability to read