When a student focuses excessively on decoding, what should the teacher provide to support their learning?

Focusing excessively on decoding can lead to a lack of engagement and comprehension in reading. To support a student in this situation, providing books that align with their personal interests is a key strategy. When students encounter texts that captivate their attention and resonate with their passions, they are more likely to engage with the material deeply, making the reading process more enjoyable and meaningful. This intrinsic motivation can help balance their decoding skills with comprehension and overall literacy development, promoting a more holistic approach to reading.

In contrast, while worksheets with multiple-choice questions can help assess understanding, they may not foster a love for reading or address the underlying issue of engagement. Fictional stories about toys might not necessarily connect with all students, potentially leading to disengagement if their interests lie elsewhere. Games emphasizing phonics are beneficial for practicing specific decoding skills, but they do not address the need for varied and contextually rich reading that interests the student. Thus, connecting reading materials to a student's interests emerges as the most effective way to support their learning during this phase.