What intervention strategy is most effective for a student who can decode single-syllable words but struggles with multisyllabic words?

The most effective intervention strategy for a student who can decode single-syllable words but struggles with multisyllabic words is to reteach syllable division skills and common affixes. This approach addresses the specific area where the student has difficulty. By improving their understanding of how to break down multisyllabic words into manageable syllables, the student can apply phonetic rules more effectively and enhance their decoding skills.

Understanding syllable division allows students to recognize patterns in words and reduces the cognitive load when encountering longer, more complex words. Moreover, teaching common affixes—prefixes and suffixes—equips students with additional tools for understanding word meanings and enhancing their vocabulary skills. This comprehensive approach not only improves their decoding of multisyllabic words but also fosters overall reading fluency and comprehension.

Other strategies such as encouraging faster reading might overlook the foundational skills needed for comprehension, focusing solely on vocabulary does not directly address the decoding challenge, and having the student read poetry exclusively may not provide the necessary practice with multisyllabic words. Therefore, reteaching syllable division skills and common affixes effectively targets the specific needs of the student.