What is chunking in the context of reading instruction?

Chunking, in the context of reading instruction, refers to a decoding strategy where words are broken down into smaller, more manageable parts or "chunks." This approach facilitates students' ability to sound out and recognize words, as it helps them to identify familiar segments within longer or more complex words. By breaking words into chunks, learners can decode them more efficiently, which can enhance comprehension and fluency when reading.

This technique is particularly useful for struggling readers or English language learners, as it allows them to approach challenging texts by recognizing patterns and familiar parts of words. For example, the word "unhappiness" can be chunked into "un-hap-piness," making it easier to read and understand. In this way, chunking supports the development of decoding skills essential for overall reading proficiency.