Which strategy could best engage students with letter cards to improve their understanding of the alphabetic principle?

The strategy that focuses on having students listen and arrange sounds using letter cards is effective because it directly supports the development of phonemic awareness and reinforces the alphabetic principle. This principle involves understanding that letters represent sounds and that these sounds combine to create words. By engaging in an activity that requires them to manipulate letter cards while listening to sounds, students are actively participating in their learning process, making connections between sounds and their corresponding letters.

This hands-on approach transforms abstract concepts into tangible experiences, allowing students to visualize and physically interact with the letters as they organize them according to the sounds they hear. It reinforces auditory processing while also solidifying their knowledge of the alphabet, thereby enhancing their literacy skills in a meaningful and interactive way.

In contrast, options like reading stories without visual aids might not provide the necessary engagement with the alphabet. Independent assignments can promote individual learning but may lack direct interaction with the alphabetic principle. Practicing writing letters in a notebook may help with fine motor skills, but it does not engage students in the auditory processing aspect that is crucial for understanding how letters and sounds interact. Thus, arranging sounds with letter cards is the most effective method for cultivating a deeper understanding of the alphabetic principle.