Deck 15: The Early Literacy Classroom

Question 1

Which of the following practices, according to research, make learning to read more difficult for young students?

A) Making oral reading the most important literacy goal
B) Using workbooks with every reading lesson
C) Focusing on skills at the expense of comprehension
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Print saturation is best exemplified by which of the following classroom characteristics?

A) Large quantities of decodable texts for every content area
B) Daily drills on graded sight vocabulary
C) Several bulletin boards colorfully designed with the written work of students in the class
D) All of the above

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Why is the physical arrangement of the classroom crucial, according to the textbook?

A) Students are less likely to become discipline problems in a spacious room.
B) The teacher is able to reach each learner more easily if the desks are carefully arranged.
C) Student must have plenty of room to be able to experiment with literacy independently and in small groups.
D) An orderly classroom lends itself to stability and enhanced learning.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following are considered "essentials" for a classroom that meets the needs of young students?

A) Plenty of printed material
B) Various types of environmental print
C) Many different writing supplies
D) All of the above

Question 5

Mrs. Ramon is sure to include all of the following components in her classroom EXCEPT which one?

A) Extensive writing and composing experiences
B) Mediated literacy experiences and other supportive reading groups
C) Completion of all workbooks associated with the selected basal readers
D) Many opportunities for oral discussions, language play, drama, puppetry, and other language activities

Question 6

How are parent packets used in Mrs. Ramon's classroom?

A) The packets contain material for the parents to teach the child at home.
B) The packets contain lists of suggestions for books that parents might want to read to their child.
C) The packets contain material corresponding to what the child has studied that day.
D) The packets contain a summary of the teacher's weekly instructional goals.

Question 7

Which of the following would best characterize the educational philosophy of this teacher?

A) All children can learn if you show them appropriate materials and then allow them to experiment independently.
B) Balance in literacy is possible when a caring teacher creates a program full of direct instruction, writing, and literature-rich experiences.
C) Literacy happens under the guidance of a competent teacher who has found the best instructional method and continues to hone her skills year after year.
D) A blend of careful correction of incorrect answers and realistic expectations for slower children create a classroom where children can feel successful.

Question 8

On what basis does Mrs. Ramon make changes in her classroom?

A) Assessment of her learners tells her change is in order.
B) She observes a strategy that she feels might be beneficial to her class.
C) She reads a respected journal and learns of some research that convinces her a new literacy practice should be considered.
D) All of the above

Question 9

According to this chapter, what is perhaps the most critical decision in setting up the classroom?

A) Deciding how to use the limited time available
B) Carefully considering how the desks should be placed
C) Deciding which basal reader to use
D) All of these are equally critical

Question 10

How does Mrs. Ramon use grouping in her classroom?

A) She uses groups only for reading.
B) She uses groups that are flexible and change frequently, depending on the activity.
C) She avoids grouping as she feels some groups feel stigmatized.
D) She uses interest grouping for recreational reading only.

Question 11

Successfully accomplished student-teacher __________are likely the key to literacy learning of students from diverse backgrounds.

Question 12

A set of sentences written on the white board before the students enter the classroom, telling them about some enjoyable activities they can look forward to during the day, is called the __________.

Question 13

To read aloud to her students, Mrs. Ramon selects quality __________.

Question 14

Mrs. Ramon always carries her clipboard or tablet when circulating around the classroom so she can take __________as students are reading and writing independently.

Question 15

An inviting, specialized setting providing a series of self-selected, independent tasks that is found in Mrs. Ramon's classroom is called a __________.

Question 16

When Mrs. Ramon takes five minutes at the beginning of writing workshop to demonstrate how capital letters are used at the beginning of sentences, she is conducting a __________.

Question 17

Mrs. Ramon's instructional plans emanate from ongoing assessment and are adjusted according to her students'__________.

Question 18

Make a list of five teaching goals that you believe will be nonnegotiable for your classroom. Defend these goals to an administrator who questions your decisions.

Question 19

Why do you think Mrs. Ramon is so successful every year in creating literate learners by the end of first grade? Explain her success in terms of classroom climate, literacy practices, and room arrangement.

Question 20

Provide an instructional plan for a first-grade classroom that begins at 8:30 A.M. and ends at 3:00P.M. Include activities from each of the following four components:
a. mediated reading experiences
b. language experience stories or expository pieces
c. writer's workshop and journal writing
d. oral discussions and language play