What best summarizes the process of Consolidated Alphabetic decoding?

Consolidated Alphabetic decoding is an approach that emphasizes the recognition of recurring letter patterns within words, which helps students understand larger structures and relationships in the written language. This method allows students to move beyond a reliance on individual letters and sounds to a more holistic view that incorporates their understanding of how groups of letters function together. By consolidating these patterns, learners can decode unfamiliar words more efficiently and with greater confidence, as they are not just processing letters one by one but are recognizing familiar configurations that represent phonetic sounds and whole words. This process ultimately supports fluent reading and comprehension, as it builds a stronger foundation for understanding the complexities of written language.

The other options represent different levels or types of decoding skills but do not accurately capture the essence of Consolidated Alphabetic decoding. Identifying letters and sounds is a foundational skill that precedes consolidated decoding, while recognizing words without assistance refers to fluency, which may develop after mastering consolidated patterns. Reading word for word implies a slower and more laborious approach that does not take advantage of pattern recognition, which is at the heart of consolidated decoding.