Which strategy is NOT a part of the skills/balanced approach?

The correct answer highlights an approach that diverges from the balanced methodology in literacy instruction. The skills/balanced approach emphasizes the integration of both phonics and whole language techniques to provide a well-rounded literacy education. This includes introducing vocabulary through various methods, incorporating understanding of word parts like roots, prefixes, and suffixes, and continuously assessing student understanding to inform instruction.

Focusing exclusively on high-frequency sight words, while beneficial in isolation, is not aligned with the balanced approach as it limits the scope of literacy instruction to just sight words. This method does not incorporate the varied strategies that support comprehensive reading development. By neglecting phonics and vocabulary development through structural components, students may miss out on acquiring a full understanding of language and its nuances. Thus, the emphasis on a singular method contradicts the essence of the skills/balanced approach, which values multiple strategies to support diverse learning needs.