What is an example of phonological awareness?

Phonological awareness refers to the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in spoken language. It encompasses a range of skills, including the identification of sounds, syllables, onsets, rimes, and the ability to play with these sounds in various ways. When students are asked to add words to rhyming lists, they are actively engaging in phonological awareness by recognizing and manipulating the sound patterns within words. This activity helps them become aware of the auditory similarities and differences between words, which is a foundational skill for reading and writing.

Other options, while valuable for literacy development, do not specifically target phonological awareness. Reading aloud to a peer focuses more on fluency and comprehension. Practicing spelling rules involves the orthographic aspect of language and may not directly develop an awareness of sounds. Writing sentences about personal experiences involves constructing thoughts and expressing ideas, which relies on language skills but does not emphasize the sound structure of words. Thus, the activity of adding to rhyming lists is a clear and effective demonstration of phonological awareness in action.