What is the most appropriate assessment approach to monitor mastery of phonics elements like au / aw?

Conducting a spelling dictation with single-syllable words is the most appropriate assessment approach to monitor mastery of phonics elements like "au" and "aw." This method directly involves the application of phonics skills, as students must convert the sounds they hear into written form, thereby demonstrating their understanding of the graphemes that correspond to those sounds.

In spelling dictation, pupils not only practice the specific phonics elements but also reinforce their ability to segment and blend sounds within words. Since both "au" and "aw" typically occur within single-syllable words, a spelling dictation allows for focused assessment of these specific phonetic patterns. It helps educators observe whether students recognize the patterns correctly and can apply their knowledge in real-time writing tasks, which is crucial for developing phonetic proficiency.

This targeted assessment approach emphasizes the connection between sound (phonology) and writing (orthography), making it an effective strategy for evaluating mastery of particular phonics elements.