What are the five components of reading instruction often referred to as the “Big Five”?

The correct answer identifies phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension as the five components of effective reading instruction, commonly referred to as the "Big Five."

Phonemic awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the individual sounds in spoken words, which is a foundational skill for early reading development. Phonics involves the relationship between letters and the sounds they represent, enabling students to decode new words. Fluency refers to the ability to read a text smoothly and accurately with appropriate speed, which is essential for comprehension. Vocabulary encompasses the words that students need to know to understand text fully, and comprehension is the ability to understand and interpret what is read, which is the ultimate goal of reading instruction.

This combination of skills creates a comprehensive approach to teaching reading, addressing the various aspects that contribute to a child’s ability to read effectively. The other options include elements of language arts but do not accurately represent the specific components outlined in most educational frameworks focused on reading instruction.