In Directed Reading Activity (DRA) instructional practice using basal readers, what is a typical teacher action at the start of a lesson?

• A. Students read independently first.
• B. Teachers first prepare students to read by introducing new concepts, words, and stimulating motivation.
• C. No concept introduction before reading.
• D. DRA relies on scripted dialogues.

Answer: (B)

In Directed Reading Activity with basal readers, the lesson begins with front-loading to set up reading success. The teacher prepares students to read by introducing new concepts and vocabulary and by stimulating motivation for the text. This pre-reading step helps students connect what they already know to the new material, activates background knowledge, and gives them a purpose for reading. When students encounter unfamiliar terms or ideas first, they’re more equipped to comprehend and stay engaged during the reading.

Starting with independent reading without upfront guidance misses the scaffolding that supports comprehension. Skipping concept introduction leaves students with gaps in understanding as they encounter new ideas or specialized vocabulary. Relying on scripted dialogues doesn’t align with the DRA approach, which centers on purposeful pre-reading preparation and teacher guidance to activate learning and set a clear reading goal.