Which description best captures explicit instruction?

• A. It involves clearly and directly instructing students systematically, including modeling, guided practice, and immediate feedback.
• B. It relies on student-led discovery with minimal teacher guidance.
• C. It focuses on rote memorization without modeling.
• D. It uses only independent reading and no feedback.

Answer: (A)

Explicit instruction is a direct, teacher-led approach that makes the learning goal clear and provides students with a precise sequence for acquiring a new skill. It involves showing exactly how to do something (modeling), giving students guided practice with scaffolds, and offering immediate feedback to correct errors and reinforce correct procedures. In early literacy, this looks like a teacher clearly explaining how to segment phonemes, then modeling the process aloud, guiding students through practice with supportive prompts, and giving rapid feedback as they attempt to apply the skill, before gradually releasing responsibility to the student.

The description that includes clear, direct instruction with modeling, guided practice, and immediate feedback best captures explicit instruction. By contrast, relying on student-led discovery lacks the systematic scaffolding; focusing on rote memorization without modeling omits demonstration and practice; and using only independent reading with no feedback misses structured instruction and corrective guidance.