What method uses boxes to represent words and can utilize manipulatives to represent sounds?

The Elkonin method, also known as sound boxes, is designed to support phonemic awareness and phonics through a visual and tactile approach. In this method, boxes are used to represent individual sounds in a word, allowing students to break down words into their constituent sounds systematically.

For instance, if a student is working with the word "cat," three boxes are drawn, and the student would place a marker or a manipulative in each box as they articulate the individual sounds (/k/, /æ/, /t/). This helps them understand the relationship between sounds and letters while also enhancing their ability to segment and blend phonemes, which are critical skills in reading development.

The use of manipulatives provides a hands-on component that can enhance learning by engaging students in a multisensory experience. This active participation helps solidify their understanding of sound letter correspondences and can also make phonics instruction more engaging and effective.

The other choices refer to different concepts that do not specifically use boxes or manipulatives in the same manner as the Elkonin method does.