TMN3702
Assignment 3 2025
Unique #:
Due Date: 31 July 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, QUESTION 1
1.1
The bottom-up approach to reading focuses on decoding from the smallest units of
language, such as letters and sounds, before moving to words, sentences, and
meaning. Learners read by recognising letters, blending sounds, and then forming
words, which helps them understand sentences and texts. This method relies heavily
on phonics and decoding skills (TMN3702/1, Learning Unit 4, p. 64).
In contrast, the top-down approach begins with the reader's existing knowledge,
experiences, and predictions. Instead of decoding every word, learners use what
they already know, the context of the text, and clues like images or titles to make
sense of the reading material. This approach focuses on making meaning, even
when some words are unfamiliar (TMN3702/1, Learning Unit 4, pp. 64–65).
Both methods support reading but from different directions: bottom-up builds from
text to meaning, while top-down starts with meaning and works toward
understanding the text.
1.2
Bottom-up example: Learners are given phonic flashcards to practise sounding out
tricky words from the story The Lion and the Mouse. The teacher helps them break
down each word into letters and sounds, encouraging decoding and correct
pronunciation. This supports their ability to read from sound to word and builds
fluency—a key bottom-up reading skill (TMN3702/1, Learning Unit 4, p. 64).
Top-down example: Before reading the same story, the teacher asks learners to
look at the pictures and title. Learners predict what the story might be about, drawing
on their own knowledge and experiences. This prediction activity helps them connect
personal understanding to the text, making it easier to grasp the meaning as they
read. This approach reflects top-down processing, where comprehension is built
using context and prior knowledge (TMN3702/1, Learning Unit 4, p. 65).
1.3.
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
Assignment 3 2025
Unique #:
Due Date: 31 July 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, QUESTION 1
1.1
The bottom-up approach to reading focuses on decoding from the smallest units of
language, such as letters and sounds, before moving to words, sentences, and
meaning. Learners read by recognising letters, blending sounds, and then forming
words, which helps them understand sentences and texts. This method relies heavily
on phonics and decoding skills (TMN3702/1, Learning Unit 4, p. 64).
In contrast, the top-down approach begins with the reader's existing knowledge,
experiences, and predictions. Instead of decoding every word, learners use what
they already know, the context of the text, and clues like images or titles to make
sense of the reading material. This approach focuses on making meaning, even
when some words are unfamiliar (TMN3702/1, Learning Unit 4, pp. 64–65).
Both methods support reading but from different directions: bottom-up builds from
text to meaning, while top-down starts with meaning and works toward
understanding the text.
1.2
Bottom-up example: Learners are given phonic flashcards to practise sounding out
tricky words from the story The Lion and the Mouse. The teacher helps them break
down each word into letters and sounds, encouraging decoding and correct
pronunciation. This supports their ability to read from sound to word and builds
fluency—a key bottom-up reading skill (TMN3702/1, Learning Unit 4, p. 64).
Top-down example: Before reading the same story, the teacher asks learners to
look at the pictures and title. Learners predict what the story might be about, drawing
on their own knowledge and experiences. This prediction activity helps them connect
personal understanding to the text, making it easier to grasp the meaning as they
read. This approach reflects top-down processing, where comprehension is built
using context and prior knowledge (TMN3702/1, Learning Unit 4, p. 65).
1.3.
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
