Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Early Childhood Practice Exam

After reading the first page of a story, what is the best way for a teacher to motivate students to continue reading independently?

1. Telling interesting biographical details about the author

2. Asking students to predict what might happen next

3. Completing a cloze exercise with story words

4. Creating a dramatization of the story after reading

The correct answer is: Asking students to predict what might happen next

Asking students to predict what might happen next engages their critical thinking and comprehension skills, which can significantly boost their motivation to continue reading. This interactive approach encourages students to think beyond the text and invest emotionally in the story, enhancing their curiosity about subsequent events and outcomes. By forming predictions, students become active participants in the reading process, which can foster a deeper connection to the narrative. Their involvement in envisioning possible scenarios stimulates both their imagination and their desire to see if their predictions are correct, creating an incentive to continue reading independently. While sharing interesting biographical details about the author might provide some context, it does not directly engage students with the story itself. Completing a cloze exercise with story words may also serve a purpose in reviewing vocabulary or key concepts, but it lacks the enticing narrative element that predictions offer. Similarly, creating a dramatization of the story after reading can be a fun activity but occurs after the reading has been completed, which may not motivate students to start or continue reading in the first place.