FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which of the following does not describe one of the 5 big ideas in beginning reading?

1. Phonemic awareness

2. Phonics

3. Semantics

4. Fluency

The correct answer is: Semantics

The correct selection is based on the understanding of the five essential components of effective reading instruction, often referred to as the "Big Five." These components include phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. In this context, semantics does not explicitly fall within those five key areas. While semantics relates to the meaning of words and phrases and plays a critical role in the overall understanding and comprehension of language, it is typically encompassed within vocabulary and comprehension rather than being categorized as one of the foundational elements of beginning reading instruction. Phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency are directly tied to foundational skills necessary for early reading development, making them integral to the reading process. In contrast, semantics is more about the interpretation of meaning, which is indeed important but does not fit into the specified "big ideas" framework for beginning reading skills.