8. Which of the following best describes the phonological skill the student is practicing?

Answer: D

Explanation:

Deleting

The phonological skill the student is practicing is deleting, which involves removing a sound from a word to form a new word. This skill is essential for understanding how sounds contribute to word formation and is a critical aspect of phonemic awareness.

A) Blending

Blending refers to the ability to combine individual sounds together to form a word. While blending is a crucial phonological skill, it does not accurately describe the action of removing sounds from words, which is the focus of the question.

B) Segmenting

Segmenting involves breaking a word down into its individual sounds. Although segmenting is an important phonological skill, it is the opposite of deleting, as it emphasizes identifying and isolating sounds rather than removing them.

C) Substituting

Substituting is the skill of replacing one sound in a word with another sound to create a new word. This is different from deleting, as it focuses on changing sounds rather than eliminating them altogether.

D) Deleting

Deleting is the correct choice as it specifically pertains to the skill of removing a sound from a word to produce a different word. This skill is vital for developing phonemic awareness and understanding how sounds interact within words.

Conclusion

Deleting is the best descriptor of the phonological skill in question, as it highlights the action of removing sounds to form new words. In contrast, blending, segmenting, and substituting each describe different phonological processes that do not align with the concept of deletion. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective phonological instruction.