TEXES Science of Teaching Reading Practice Test

Which lesson should be prioritized in teaching about morphemes?

1. Show examples of familiar multimorphemic words

2. Define morphemes and their differences from phonemes

3. Teach prefixes, roots, and affixes

4. Establish a routine for identifying morphemes

The correct answer is: Define morphemes and their differences from phonemes

Focusing on defining morphemes and their differences from phonemes is foundational in teaching about morphemes. This critical step helps students understand the fundamental unit of meaning in language, which is essential for their reading and comprehension skills. By explaining what morphemes are, students can grasp concepts such as free versus bound morphemes, which form the building blocks for more complex vocabulary. This understanding serves as a precursor to recognizing how morphemes function within words, allowing students to identify and segment words into their constituent morphemes effectively. Establishing this foundational knowledge fosters deeper comprehension skills and enhances vocabulary development, which are pivotal to successful reading instruction. Once students comprehend what morphemes are, they can then move on to more complex tasks, such as identifying multisyllabic words (the first option) or learning about prefixes, roots, and affixes (the third option). Additionally, creating routines for identifying morphemes (the fourth option) becomes more effective when students first understand what morphemes actually are. Thus, defining morphemes clearly sets the stage for more advanced learning and practical application in reading and language development.