Reading Instruction Approaches

Questions and Answers

Both are automatic for almost all children

Neither learning to speak nor learning to read requires instruction and conscious effort

Learning to speak requires instruction and conscious effort, while learning to read does not

Learning to speak is automatic for almost all children, but learning to read requires elaborate instruction and conscious effort (correct)

To make reading a fun and engaging experience

To help children learn to recognize a vocabulary of 50 to 100 words by rote (correct)

To encourage children to guess words by considering the context of the sentence

To teach children the relationship between letters and phonemes

Phonics focuses on recognizing words by rote, while whole-language focuses on sounding out words

Phonics is more intuitive, while whole-language is more systematic

Phonics focuses on sounding out words, while whole-language focuses on recognizing words in context (correct)

Phonics is more engaging, while whole-language is more dull

<p>Because it was a more intuitive approach that made reading fun</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It was phased out in favor of the whole-language approach</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Automatic speech development in children contrasts with the structured learning required for reading.
Educators face challenges in determining effective reading instruction methods, leading to ongoing debates and differing opinions within the teaching community.

Whole-Word Instruction
- Children learn to recognize a limited vocabulary of 50 to 100 words through rote memorization.
- Gradual word acquisition occurs through repeated exposure in stories.
Phonics
- This method emphasizes the relationship between letters and sounds (phonemes).
- Children learn to apply their knowledge of the alphabet to decode words phonetically.
Whole-Language Method
- Focuses on children's natural language experiences and contextual understanding.
- Encourages guessing unknown words through sentence context, storyline, and illustrations rather than phonetic decoding.
- Gained popularity in the 1990s due to its engaging nature, appealing to both educators and students.

Whole-language instruction promotes a fun learning environment, enhancing motivation and engagement in reading.
The approach shifts reliance from teacher-driven methods to student-centered learning experiences.
The growing preference for whole-language methods over traditional phonics reflects a movement towards more interactive and enjoyable reading practices in American education during the 1990s.