What does the Advanced Reading Deck (ARD) primarily ensure?

The Advanced Reading Deck (ARD) is specifically designed to help students recognize graphemes independently, without relying on visual cues or picture prompts. This skill is crucial in developing reading fluency and comprehension, as it encourages students to connect the sounds of language with the written letters and letter combinations. By focusing on recognition that does not depend on visual cues, the ARD promotes a deeper understanding of language structure and aids in the transition from supported reading to independent reading.

This emphasis on grapheme recognition without picture cues allows students to build a robust set of decoding strategies, essential for tackling unfamiliar words and complex texts. Mastery in this area means that students can approach reading with increased confidence and skill, as they are not limited by visual aids.

While other options may involve essential reading strategies, they do not align with the primary focus of the ARD in fostering independent grapheme recognition skills.