What are phonograms?

Phonograms refer specifically to high-frequency rimes, which are the vowel and any following consonants in a syllable that share a common pattern in spelling and sound. For example, in the word "cat," the phonogram is the “-at” part, and this can also be seen in other words such as "bat," "rat," and "hat." Phonograms are critical in the teaching of reading since they help students recognize and decode words more efficiently by understanding patterns in spelling and pronunciation.

The other options do not define phonograms accurately, as they encompass different aspects of language and literacy but do not relate specifically to the concept of rimes or word families. Understanding phonograms can significantly benefit students' reading development by emphasizing these recurring patterns in language.