Certification Examinations for Oklahoma Educators (CEOE) Practice Exam

Which activity is most likely to support a child’s ability to decode and encode regular words in a second-grade setting?

1. Using flash cards for specific phonemes

2. Conducting a running record

3. Providing independent reading time

4. Reviewing high-frequency words

The correct answer is: Using flash cards for specific phonemes

Using flash cards for specific phonemes is a highly effective activity for supporting a child's ability to decode and encode regular words, especially in a second-grade environment. This method reinforces the connection between sounds (phonemes) and their corresponding letters or letter combinations (graphemes). By repeatedly practicing with flash cards, students are able to familiarize themselves with common phonemes, enhancing their ability to sound out words, recognize patterns, and effectively blend sounds together to read new words. Moreover, as students become more proficient at decoding, they also develop encoding skills, as they learn to segment words into sounds when writing. The direct and focused nature of using flash cards helps in solidifying foundational skills that are essential for reading fluency and comprehension, which are critical at this developmental stage. While the other activities listed may contribute to literacy development, they serve different purposes that are somewhat less targeted in building the very specific skills related to decoding and encoding regular words.