Texas STR Certification Exam
Questions and Answers
Culturally Responsive Instructional Practices - ANSWER-This refers to practices that
recognize and incorporate the assets and strengths all students bring to the classroom
and ensure that learning experiences are relevant to all students.
Assets-Based Teaching Approach - ANSWER-This refers to viewing diversity of
thought, culture, and traits as a positive asset as students are valued for what they bring
to the classroom rather than being characterized by what they are lacking.
Phonemes - ANSWER-The specific units of sounds in a language that distinguish one
word from another (e.g., "b" and "t"
in "bat" and "tab")
Morphemes - ANSWER-The smallest unit of meaning in a language (e.g., "ed" changes
a word to past tense)
Decoding - ANSWER-The ability to use letter-sound relationships to correctly sound-out
and pronounce written words.
Discourse - ANSWER-Written or spoken communication or debate (e.g., talk and
conversation)
Language Demands - ANSWER-The tools (vocabulary, syntax, discourse) students use
to participate in the content they are learning
Deep Orthography - ANSWER-This phrase refers to a spelling system that is more
difficult to decode because there is not a direct correlation between the letters and
sounds in the language.
Shallow Orthography - ANSWER-This phrase refers to a spelling system that is easier
to decode because there is a direct correlation between. the letters and sounds in the
language.
Emergent Literacy - ANSWER-The term used to explain a child's knowledge of reading
and writing skills before they learn to read and write (e.g., recognizing a stop sign,
cereal box).
Phonological Awareness - ANSWER-the ability to hear and manipulate all units of
sound including words, syllables, onset, rimes, and phonemes in spoken language.
, Pragmatics - ANSWER-The practical rules that guide our use of language in social
contexts
Morphology - ANSWER-the study of the structure of words and how meaningful units
are combined in text (e.g., prefixes, suffixes, root words).
Transitional Bilingual Education - ANSWER-A program in which two languages are
used to provide content instruction. Over time, use of the native language is decreased
and use of English is increased until only English is used for instruction.
Sheltered Instruction - ANSWER-An approach to teaching English language learners
that integrates language and content instruction.
BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) - ANSWER-Development of fluency in
conversations - social language
CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) - ANSWER-Development of content
and subject area language.
Comprehensible Input - ANSWER-The part of a language that is understood by
listeners when learning a second language
Language Acquisition vs. Language Learning - ANSWER-Acquiring language through
subconscious processes vs. learning a language through direct instruction.
Receptive Language - ANSWER-The ability to understand words and language
Phonology - ANSWER-The study of sounds, their patterns and meanings and the way
they combine to form words and language.
Semantics - ANSWER-The study of meaning in words, phrases, sentences, or text
Repetition and Practice - ANSWER-A teaching strategy that helps bring skill knowledge
from conscious to subconscious.
Oral Language Rehearsal - ANSWER-A strategy that gives students the opportunity to
'write aloud' before they begin a written language assignment; provides time for them to
rehearse how written forms differ from spoken forms
Language Systems - ANSWER-Interdependent structures or systems that support the
language foundation necessary for reading
Orthographic Mapping - ANSWER-The process of matching letters and letter
sequences with sounds in a word, and storing those words for future use; necessary for
spelling, pronouncing words correctly, and developing sight words and vocabulary.
Questions and Answers
Culturally Responsive Instructional Practices - ANSWER-This refers to practices that
recognize and incorporate the assets and strengths all students bring to the classroom
and ensure that learning experiences are relevant to all students.
Assets-Based Teaching Approach - ANSWER-This refers to viewing diversity of
thought, culture, and traits as a positive asset as students are valued for what they bring
to the classroom rather than being characterized by what they are lacking.
Phonemes - ANSWER-The specific units of sounds in a language that distinguish one
word from another (e.g., "b" and "t"
in "bat" and "tab")
Morphemes - ANSWER-The smallest unit of meaning in a language (e.g., "ed" changes
a word to past tense)
Decoding - ANSWER-The ability to use letter-sound relationships to correctly sound-out
and pronounce written words.
Discourse - ANSWER-Written or spoken communication or debate (e.g., talk and
conversation)
Language Demands - ANSWER-The tools (vocabulary, syntax, discourse) students use
to participate in the content they are learning
Deep Orthography - ANSWER-This phrase refers to a spelling system that is more
difficult to decode because there is not a direct correlation between the letters and
sounds in the language.
Shallow Orthography - ANSWER-This phrase refers to a spelling system that is easier
to decode because there is a direct correlation between. the letters and sounds in the
language.
Emergent Literacy - ANSWER-The term used to explain a child's knowledge of reading
and writing skills before they learn to read and write (e.g., recognizing a stop sign,
cereal box).
Phonological Awareness - ANSWER-the ability to hear and manipulate all units of
sound including words, syllables, onset, rimes, and phonemes in spoken language.
, Pragmatics - ANSWER-The practical rules that guide our use of language in social
contexts
Morphology - ANSWER-the study of the structure of words and how meaningful units
are combined in text (e.g., prefixes, suffixes, root words).
Transitional Bilingual Education - ANSWER-A program in which two languages are
used to provide content instruction. Over time, use of the native language is decreased
and use of English is increased until only English is used for instruction.
Sheltered Instruction - ANSWER-An approach to teaching English language learners
that integrates language and content instruction.
BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) - ANSWER-Development of fluency in
conversations - social language
CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) - ANSWER-Development of content
and subject area language.
Comprehensible Input - ANSWER-The part of a language that is understood by
listeners when learning a second language
Language Acquisition vs. Language Learning - ANSWER-Acquiring language through
subconscious processes vs. learning a language through direct instruction.
Receptive Language - ANSWER-The ability to understand words and language
Phonology - ANSWER-The study of sounds, their patterns and meanings and the way
they combine to form words and language.
Semantics - ANSWER-The study of meaning in words, phrases, sentences, or text
Repetition and Practice - ANSWER-A teaching strategy that helps bring skill knowledge
from conscious to subconscious.
Oral Language Rehearsal - ANSWER-A strategy that gives students the opportunity to
'write aloud' before they begin a written language assignment; provides time for them to
rehearse how written forms differ from spoken forms
Language Systems - ANSWER-Interdependent structures or systems that support the
language foundation necessary for reading
Orthographic Mapping - ANSWER-The process of matching letters and letter
sequences with sounds in a word, and storing those words for future use; necessary for
spelling, pronouncing words correctly, and developing sight words and vocabulary.
