TMN3702
ASSIGNMENT 3 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 31 JULY 2025
, QUESTION 1: TEACHING READING AND VIEWING
1.1 Explain the difference between bottom-up and top-down approaches to
reading.
The bottom-up approach to reading is when learners start by focusing on smaller parts
of language like letters and sounds, then build up to words, sentences, and full
understanding. It is like building a puzzle from the small pieces first.
The top-down approach is the opposite. Learners use what they already know – their
background knowledge, the pictures in the book, and the story title – to help them guess
what the story might be about. They focus on the bigger picture first.
(3 marks)
1.2 Provide one example of each approach that could be used in a Grade 4
English Home Language classroom.
Bottom-up example: Ask learners to sound out and blend the phonemes in the
word “beautiful” before reading a sentence with the word.
Top-down example: Show learners the title and pictures of a storybook like “The
Lion and the Mouse” and ask them to predict what the story is about.
(2 marks)
1.3 You are a Grade 4 English Home Language teacher in a South African
multilingual classroom. You are preparing to teach a reading lesson using a short
story.
Short Story to be used: The Lion and the Mouse (Retold version, freely available
here: https://www.storyberries.com/bedtime-stories-the-lion-and-the-mouse-short-
stories-for-kids/)
1.3.1 Pre-reading activity
ASSIGNMENT 3 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 31 JULY 2025
, QUESTION 1: TEACHING READING AND VIEWING
1.1 Explain the difference between bottom-up and top-down approaches to
reading.
The bottom-up approach to reading is when learners start by focusing on smaller parts
of language like letters and sounds, then build up to words, sentences, and full
understanding. It is like building a puzzle from the small pieces first.
The top-down approach is the opposite. Learners use what they already know – their
background knowledge, the pictures in the book, and the story title – to help them guess
what the story might be about. They focus on the bigger picture first.
(3 marks)
1.2 Provide one example of each approach that could be used in a Grade 4
English Home Language classroom.
Bottom-up example: Ask learners to sound out and blend the phonemes in the
word “beautiful” before reading a sentence with the word.
Top-down example: Show learners the title and pictures of a storybook like “The
Lion and the Mouse” and ask them to predict what the story is about.
(2 marks)
1.3 You are a Grade 4 English Home Language teacher in a South African
multilingual classroom. You are preparing to teach a reading lesson using a short
story.
Short Story to be used: The Lion and the Mouse (Retold version, freely available
here: https://www.storyberries.com/bedtime-stories-the-lion-and-the-mouse-short-
stories-for-kids/)
1.3.1 Pre-reading activity
