Comprehensive Exam

Question 1

Consider your classroom and current role in reading and language arts instruction when answering this question. Identify the teaching context (the grade level if you are a classroom teacher, professional role if you are a Title One teacher, etc.) you are considering as you respond to this question. Describe how you would ideally teach reading and language arts. Be very explicit in your response and include discussion of the following components:

a. How will assessment fit into your program? What kinds and for what purposes? What are the specific instruments you will use.

b. What kinds of materials will you use in your classroom and for what purposes?

c. What kinds of reading instruction do you plan to use? How will you attempt in your reading instruction to address students’ needs to develop (1) comprehension and (2) fluency in reading and word recognition? How does modeling reading and strategies fit into your instruction? Where do you build in word study and spelling?

d. How will you attempt to meet the diverse levels and instructional needs of students you teach? What kinds of grouping will you use and for what purposes? What kinds of support for struggling students will you try to build into your program? Be sure to address issues related to English Language Learners.

e. How will you address the language arts in your program? How will you teach literature, writing, author’s craft, genre, and poetry in your program?

f. What kinds of responses to reading and literature will you ask students to give? What role will discussion and writing play in these responses?