What is the most appropriate next step for a 6th-grade student with specific learning disabilities who struggles with solving word problems?

The most appropriate next step for a 6th-grade student with specific learning disabilities who struggles with solving word problems is to offer a structured intervention that breaks down word problems. This approach is effective because it provides the student with clear strategies to understand the components of word problems, allowing them to tackle each part step by step.

Breaking down the problems can help students identify key information, such as important keywords, operations needed, and what the problem is asking. Structured interventions often incorporate visual aids and explicit instruction, which can address different learning styles and make the process more accessible. This methodology not only builds the student's confidence but also develops their critical thinking and problem-solving skills over time.

Other methods, such as encouraging the student to guess answers without guidance, would lack the necessary support and could lead to further frustration and confusion. Similarly, focusing solely on arithmetic problems would not help the student develop the skills needed to address word problems specifically. Providing a limited range of examples could restrict the student's exposure to diverse problem scenarios, which are essential for building a comprehensive understanding of how to approach word problems.