Deck 2: A Quest for Balance

Question 1

Which of the following is the best definition of phonics instruction?

A) A method emphasizing worksheets and rote activities
B) An instructional model requiring that generalizations about letters and sounds in the English language be memorized
C) A transactional, collaborative model of instruction
D) Explicit instruction and systematic teaching of the relationships between letters and sounds

Answer 1

D

Question 2

In what way has current instruction in phonics changed?

A) Phonics today is taught in as streamlined a manner as possible, so students can soon turn their attention to more enjoyable reading tasks.
B) Phonics instruction often takes place through the exclusive use of computer games and activities.
C) Phonics is taught incidentally, as it is encountered in quality literature.
D) Phonics is taught efficiently, through the use of drills, worksheets, and the memorization of phonic rules and generalizations.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The results of the First-Grade Studies support a conclusion that the most important factor in beginning literacy instruction may be which of the following?

A) The number of students in the class
B) The commitment and competence of the teacher
C) The method of instruction used
D) The amount of time spent on literacy instruction

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Why are decodable texts advocated for early phonics instruction?

A) They incorporate the exact phonic element that students are learning, thereby providing immediate reinforcement.
B) They provide interesting stories for discussion and later creative writing.
C) The language patterns provide important fluency development for students for whom English is a second language.
D) Their inherent rhyme, rhythm, and repetition make them motivational for young learners.

Question 5

Whole language was often associated with which of the following models of learning?

A) The reductionist model
B) The transmission model
C) The constructivist model
D) The cognitive model

Question 6

Which of the following are attributes associated with an exclusive use of a skills-based approach to literacy instruction?

A) Language is broken down into bite-sized pieces.
B) Skills in sequence are taught directly.
C) Worksheets are used for reinforcement of skills.
D) Growth is quantitatively measured.

Question 7

Which of the following are attributes associated with an exclusive use of a holistic approach to literacy instruction?

A) Decodable texts are used.
B) Word families are memorized.
C) Literature study groups are used for discussion.
D) Worksheets are used to respond to basal texts.

Question 8

Which of the following are attributes of a comprehensive approach to early literacy instruction?

A) An emphasis on product
B) An emphasis on process
C) An emphasis on product and process
D) Children make all curricular decisions

Question 9

Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding the choice of methods for early literacy instruction?

A) With certain groups of students, one method may be used more than others; some students will use one approach exclusively.
B) Phonics instruction should be used exclusively in the first few years of instruction.
C) As long as the teacher is competent, the approach used is unimportant.
D) As long as students are exposed to quality literature, they will want to read, and thus learn quickly, regardless of the method used.

Question 10

The goal of standards development is to do which of the following?

A) Enable teachers to use a cookbook approach toward literacy teaching
B) Make the selection of textbooks easier
C) Enable teachers to work through the basal stories and workbook pages
D) Enable school systems to set clear targets for their students

Question 11

A widely circulated book in the 1950s called __________ took teachers to task for abandoning traditional phonics instruction in favor of the then-popular look-say model.

Question 12

Methods focusing on sound-symbol relationships are what educators generally refer to as __________.

Question 13

Phonics instruction has sometimes been associated with the __________ of instruction.

Question 14

Specifically designed books called __________ provide immediate reinforcement for the instruction of specific phonics elements.

Question 15

Holistic instruction, which involves negotiating with students about their ideas concerning what they're reading and writing, is often called a __________of literacy instruction.

Question 16

__________ is an approach to literacy instruction that emphasizes having students construct their own meanings from text materials and personal experimentation with print.

Question 17

A balanced literacy program is one that __________ both the skills-based and holistic approaches to early literacy instruction.

Question 18

Broad curricular goals containing specific grade-level targets, or benchmarks, are called __________.

Question 19

The Common Core State Standards for the English Language Arts encourages teachers to use much more ________ text for literacy instruction.

Question 20

Why do you think it may be helpful for beginning teachers to understand the history of reading instruction in the United States? What do you consider to be the most critical instructional mistakes that were made in the past?

Question 21

React to the often-heard statement, "In education, the pendulum constantly swings back and forth from a holistic approach to a skills-based approach to early literacy instruction." What do you think is the impetus for such change when it occurs? Would you characterize the cyclical changes as "swings" or "spirals" toward progressively better literacy instruction? Give reasons for your answer.

Question 22

Explain what you think would be the most vital components of a balanced, comprehensive early literacy program containing elements from both a skills-based and a holistic approach.

Question 23

The Common Core State Standards require classroom teachers to use more informational texts, beginning with the early grades. Do you think this is a positive trend? Why or why not?