Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Early Childhood Practice Exam

Which activity is most appropriate for students in the partial alphabetic stage of word reading to reinforce phonics instruction?

1. Writing independently using invented spelling

2. Generating rhyming words with high-frequency patterns

3. Acting out action words that start with known sounds

4. Selecting and reading picture books independently

The correct answer is: Writing independently using invented spelling

The most appropriate activity for students in the partial alphabetic stage of word reading to reinforce phonics instruction is writing independently using invented spelling. At this stage, students have some knowledge of letter-sound relationships and may recognize a few letters and sounds but are not yet fully proficient in spelling words conventionally. Engaging in writing using invented spelling allows students to experiment with sounds and letters as they try to represent spoken words. This activity encourages them to apply their understanding of phonics in a creative way, helping to solidify their knowledge of letter-sound correspondences. It promotes phonemic awareness since they will need to rely on the sounds they hear in words, even if they don't spell them accurately. This approach also fosters confidence in their writing abilities and supports the development of early literacy skills through practice. As they write, students have the opportunity to discover how sounds correspond to letters, which is crucial in advancing to the next stages of reading and writing.