MTEL Foundations of Reading

Correct Response: C. In research-based, systematic phonics instruction, phonics elements are introduced according to their utility for beginning readers, and therefore according to their frequency of use in words appearing in primary-grades texts. Among the letter combinations given, th occurs most frequently in such texts and therefore is among the very first letter combinations taught. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because these letter combinations appear significantly less frequently in primary-grades texts than the letter combination th.