If a 4th-grade student frequently misidentifies words during oral reading, what should the teacher first assess?

The best first assessment for a 4th-grade student who frequently misidentifies words during oral reading is to evaluate the student's ability to decode phonically regular words. This focus is crucial because misidentifying words can often indicate difficulties with phonemic awareness and word decoding skills.

Decoding involves recognizing letter-sound relationships and the ability to blend these sounds to form words. If a student struggles with this skill, it directly impacts their reading accuracy. By assessing decoding ability, the teacher can identify whether the student lacks the necessary skills to accurately sound out words, which is foundational for effective reading.

Once decoding is assessed, it becomes easier to determine whether additional support or interventions are needed, such as phonics instruction or practice with specific phonetic patterns. Understanding decoding skills will also help address any underlying issues that may be the cause of the misidentification of words.