TMN3702
Assignment 3
DUE 31 July 2025
, TMN3702 Assignment 3 (2025)
Question 1: Teaching Reading and Viewing
1.1 Difference Between Bottom-up and Top-down Approaches to Reading
Bottom-up Approach: This method treats reading as a step-by-step process,
starting from the smallest language units like letters and sounds, progressing to
words, then sentences, and finally whole-text understanding. It focuses on
developing learners’ decoding skills, phonics, spelling, and grammar knowledge.
Top-down Approach: This approach positions the reader as an active meaning-
maker. Learners draw on their existing knowledge, experiences, and visual clues
(like pictures and titles) to predict, infer, and interpret meaning, often before
decoding individual words.
(3 marks)
1.2 Examples of Each Approach in a Grade 4 Classroom
Bottom-up Example: The teacher conducts a phonics lesson where learners
break down and sound out unfamiliar vocabulary from a story. They practice
blending sounds before reading the story as a class.
Top-down Example: Before reading, the teacher shows learners the book’s title
and illustrations, asking them to guess what the story could be about based on
the cover and their own experiences.
(2 marks)
1.3 Short Story to Be Used
Selected Story: The Lazy Donkey
Source: A traditional folktale in the public domain.
Link: https://www.shortkidstories.com/story/the-lazy-donkey
Assignment 3
DUE 31 July 2025
, TMN3702 Assignment 3 (2025)
Question 1: Teaching Reading and Viewing
1.1 Difference Between Bottom-up and Top-down Approaches to Reading
Bottom-up Approach: This method treats reading as a step-by-step process,
starting from the smallest language units like letters and sounds, progressing to
words, then sentences, and finally whole-text understanding. It focuses on
developing learners’ decoding skills, phonics, spelling, and grammar knowledge.
Top-down Approach: This approach positions the reader as an active meaning-
maker. Learners draw on their existing knowledge, experiences, and visual clues
(like pictures and titles) to predict, infer, and interpret meaning, often before
decoding individual words.
(3 marks)
1.2 Examples of Each Approach in a Grade 4 Classroom
Bottom-up Example: The teacher conducts a phonics lesson where learners
break down and sound out unfamiliar vocabulary from a story. They practice
blending sounds before reading the story as a class.
Top-down Example: Before reading, the teacher shows learners the book’s title
and illustrations, asking them to guess what the story could be about based on
the cover and their own experiences.
(2 marks)
1.3 Short Story to Be Used
Selected Story: The Lazy Donkey
Source: A traditional folktale in the public domain.
Link: https://www.shortkidstories.com/story/the-lazy-donkey
