Graphemes & Phonemes
Define "phoneme." Give one example from the word "cat."
A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound in spoken language. "cat" phonemes: /k/ /ă/ /t/.
What is a morpheme? Give one example that is a whole word and one that is a prefix.
Morpheme = smallest unit with meaning. Whole-word example: "dog". Prefix example: "un-" (not).
What are the three components of fluency?
Accuracy, Rate, Prosody.
Define comprehension in one sentence.
Comprehension is understanding and making meaning from what you read.
Define decoding and name one strategy to decode unfamiliar words.
Decoding = using letter-sound knowledge to read words. Strategy:break words into syllables or morphemes.
What is a grapheme? Explain how "sh" functions as a grapheme.
A grapheme is a letter or group of letters that represents a sound. "sh" is a grapheme representing the single sound /sh/.
Break "unhelpful" into morphemes and label meanings.
un- (not) + help (base meaning) + -ful (full of).
Define prosody and give one short example of good prosody.
Prosody = expressive reading (intonation, phrasing, stress). Example: Raising voice at the end of a question.
How do morphemes help comprehension?
Morphemes (prefixes/suffixes/roots) reveal parts of meaning to infer unfamiliar words.
Why is guessing a word from a picture not decoding? What should a reader do instead?
It ignores letter-sound mapping. Instead: look at letters, segment the word
How many phonemes are in "fish"? Say them.
3 phonemes: /f/ /ĭ/ /sh/.
Define "syllable." Divide the word "important" into syllables.
A syllable is a word part with one vowel sound. important → im-por-tant (3 syllables).
A student reads accurately but with no expression and pauses after every word. Which fluency component is missing and how to improve?
Missing prosody. Use more expression when reading, read at a natural rate.
Explain "inferred" in the sentence: "The detective inferred that the door had been forced open." Use a synonym.
"Inferred" means figured out from evidence; synonym: deduced.
Define the word Phonics. Tell why it is important.
Definition: The relationship between written letters and spoken sounds.
It is important because it helps readers decode words.
Explain why "ship" has three phonemes but four letters. List the phonemes.
Because "sh" is two letters representing one sound: /sh/ /ĭ/ /p/.
Identify morphemes in "redoing" and explain meaning.
re- (again) + do (action) + -ing (present participle) → doing again.
Name three evidence-based markers you would use to judge fluent reading of a paragraph.
Natural phrasing with pauses at punctuation, varied intonation matching meaning, and steady rate with few word-by-word pauses.
Complete the chain: "Graphemes represent ____ which combine to help us decode ____ which can be divided into ____ and may contain meaningful parts called ____."
phonemes → words → syllables → morphemes.
Fill in the blanks: We ______ graphemes. We _______ phonemes.
Answer: We see graphemes. We hear phonemes.
Give two graphemes that represent more than one sound in English and show one word for each showing a different sound.
Example: "c" → /s/ in "cent", /k/ in "cat". "g" → /j/ in "giant", /g/ in "go".
Divide "transportation" into syllables and morphemes; explain how morphemes change meaning.
trans-por-ta-tion; morphemes: trans- (across), port (carry), -ation (process/result) → the process of carrying across.
Define decoding and name one strategy to decode unfamiliar words.
Decoding = using letter-sound knowledge to read words. Strategy: segment and blend phonemes/letters.
Choose three reading-related words (from the set). For each, explain briefly how mastering it helps reading.
Phonics — helps map letters to sounds so you can decode words.
Fluency — combines accuracy, rate, and prosody so comprehension improves.
Morpheme — knowing word parts helps infer meanings of unfamiliar words.
Break the word "Unbreakable" into morphemes. Say the meaning of the morphemes and use them to define the word.
un- + break + -able = Not able to be broken