7. An instructional aide is helping a student distinguish between the words 'cat' and 'hat' by replacing the first letters and asking what sounds they make. Which component of structured literacy instruction is the instructional aide addressing?
Answer: A
Phonology
The instructional aide is addressing phonology by focusing on the sounds of the first letters in the words 'cat' and 'hat'. This involves auditory discrimination and the manipulation of phonemes, which are fundamental aspects of phonological awareness.
A) Phonology
This option is correct as it relates directly to the sounds of spoken language. By helping the student to replace the initial sounds in the words, the aide is engaging in phonological tasks that enhance the student's ability to hear and differentiate between distinct phonemes.
B) Syntax
Syntax pertains to the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences. In this context, the instructional aide is not addressing sentence structure or grammatical rules, making this option incorrect.
C) Semantics
Semantics involves the meaning of words and phrases. The aide’s activity does not focus on the meanings of 'cat' and 'hat', but rather on their sounds, which means this option is also incorrect.
D) Morphology
Morphology deals with the structure of words and the ways in which they can be modified. Since the aide is not focusing on word forms or their internal structure but rather on phoneme sounds, this option is incorrect.
Conclusion
Phonology is the correct answer as it directly relates to the sounds of language and phonemic awareness, which the instructional aide is focusing on by manipulating initial sounds. The other options—syntax, semantics, and morphology—do not pertain to the auditory and phonemic tasks being performed, thereby reinforcing that phonology is the essential component being addressed.