IFP3701
ASSIGNMENT 4 2025
DUE: 16 JULY 2025 (MEMO)
,IFP3701-2025
ASSIGNMENT 4 2025
DUE: 16 JULY 2025
As a foundation phase teacher, you will often encounter learners who struggle with
reading, writing, spelling, and comprehension activities in your class. Examples of such
learners:
QUESTION 1 (25 marks)
1.1 List and briefly describe four (4) stages of reading development in the
Foundation Phase.
Emergent Reading (Pre-Reading Stage)
Learners develop awareness of environmental print e.g., signs, labels through incidental
exposure. They recognize that symbols/images convey meaning but cannot decode
text. Focus is on auditory development through rhymes, songs, and sound play to build
phonemic awareness (recognizing sounds in spoken language).
Early Phonemic Awareness
Learners begin identifying sound patterns in spoken words e.g., rhyming, syllables.
Activities include listening to poems, songs, and isolating sounds. This auditory stage
prepares learners for phonics instruction but does not yet involve print.
Phonic Learning (Letter-Sound Association)
, Learners connect sounds to letters (phonics). They start recognizing letter shapes,
sounds, and simple sound blends e.g., /c/ /a/ /t/. This bridges auditory skills to print,
enabling decoding of basic words.
Print Awareness and Meaning
Learners understand that print carries meaning. They follow text directionally (left-to-
right, top-to-bottom), recognize sight words, and begin reading simple sentences.
Comprehension skills emerge as they link decoded words to context.
1.2 What is phonemic awareness? Give 2 reasons why phonemic awareness is
important in early reading instruction.
Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds
(phonemes) in spoken words.
Two reasons why it is important
It prepares learners for phonics by helping them understand the relationship between
sounds and letters.
It supports the development of decoding skills, which are essential for learning to read
and spell.
1.3 Explain the difference between shared reading and guided reading.
Shared Reading is a whole-class activity where the teacher reads a text aloud while
learners follow along. The focus is on modelling reading strategies, language use, and
enjoyment of reading. Learners participate by joining in with familiar parts or repeated
phrases.
ASSIGNMENT 4 2025
DUE: 16 JULY 2025 (MEMO)
,IFP3701-2025
ASSIGNMENT 4 2025
DUE: 16 JULY 2025
As a foundation phase teacher, you will often encounter learners who struggle with
reading, writing, spelling, and comprehension activities in your class. Examples of such
learners:
QUESTION 1 (25 marks)
1.1 List and briefly describe four (4) stages of reading development in the
Foundation Phase.
Emergent Reading (Pre-Reading Stage)
Learners develop awareness of environmental print e.g., signs, labels through incidental
exposure. They recognize that symbols/images convey meaning but cannot decode
text. Focus is on auditory development through rhymes, songs, and sound play to build
phonemic awareness (recognizing sounds in spoken language).
Early Phonemic Awareness
Learners begin identifying sound patterns in spoken words e.g., rhyming, syllables.
Activities include listening to poems, songs, and isolating sounds. This auditory stage
prepares learners for phonics instruction but does not yet involve print.
Phonic Learning (Letter-Sound Association)
, Learners connect sounds to letters (phonics). They start recognizing letter shapes,
sounds, and simple sound blends e.g., /c/ /a/ /t/. This bridges auditory skills to print,
enabling decoding of basic words.
Print Awareness and Meaning
Learners understand that print carries meaning. They follow text directionally (left-to-
right, top-to-bottom), recognize sight words, and begin reading simple sentences.
Comprehension skills emerge as they link decoded words to context.
1.2 What is phonemic awareness? Give 2 reasons why phonemic awareness is
important in early reading instruction.
Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds
(phonemes) in spoken words.
Two reasons why it is important
It prepares learners for phonics by helping them understand the relationship between
sounds and letters.
It supports the development of decoding skills, which are essential for learning to read
and spell.
1.3 Explain the difference between shared reading and guided reading.
Shared Reading is a whole-class activity where the teacher reads a text aloud while
learners follow along. The focus is on modelling reading strategies, language use, and
enjoyment of reading. Learners participate by joining in with familiar parts or repeated
phrases.
