Which level of phonological awareness involves chunking sounds into groups?

The correct answer focuses on the concept of consonant clusters, which refers to grouping two or more consonant sounds that occur together in a syllable. Phonological awareness encompasses the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language, and chunking sounds into groups is a key component of this skill. When students understand consonant clusters, they can efficiently process and articulate multi-consonant sounds within a syllable, which enhances their reading and spelling abilities.

Recognizing and working with consonant clusters supports literacy development by helping students identify patterns in words. This chunking technique aids in improving their ability to decode complex phonetic structures during reading.

Syllables involve larger units of sound than consonant clusters, as they can encompass vowel sounds and may not specifically focus on the grouping of consonants. Rimes refer to the vowel and any following consonants in a syllable, emphasizing vowel sounds rather than the chunking of consonant sounds. Digraphs are combinations of two letters that represent one sound, such as "ch" or "sh," which does not specifically address the concept of grouping multiple consonants together. Thus, the concept of consonant clusters aligns precisely with the focus on chunking sounds into groups.