Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

Which theoretical movement in reading education emphasized systematic phonics and sight word instruction in the 1800s?

1. Behaviorism

2. Constructivism

3. Cognitivism

4. Phonics approach

The correct answer is: Behaviorism

The theoretical movement that emphasized systematic phonics and sight word instruction in the 1800s is the phonics approach. This method focused on teaching children the relationships between letters and sounds, which is critical for developing reading skills. During this time, educators recognized the importance of teaching children to decode words through phonics, as well as to recognize commonly used sight words to enhance their reading fluency. While behaviorism is a theory that influences education and learning, it does not specifically pertain to reading instruction in the way that the phonics approach does. Constructivism emphasizes the role of learners in constructing their understanding and knowledge from experiences but does not center on systematic phonics. Cognitivism focuses on mental processes in learning, such as memory and thinking, and overlaps with phonics but does not uniquely define the approach taken in reading education during that era. Thus, the phonics approach is the most accurate response, reflecting the educational practices that were prominent during the 1800s.