A kindergarten teacher asks students to share what they found interesting about an illustration they enjoyed during a read-aloud, and writes their words on a large sheet of paper. Which step should the teacher take next to promote literacy development most effectively?

• A. Instructing the students to read aloud in unison all ideas
• B. Requesting that each student copy what was shared and create an illustration
• C. Assisting each student in reading what they have shared while pointing to each of the words
• D. Giving each student a chance to highlight and name each letter they recognize

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is connecting spoken language to print to build early reading skills. After students share their ideas and the teacher writes them on a page, the next best step is to help each child read what they shared while the teacher points to each word. This models how printed text carries meaning, reinforces the direction of reading (left to right, top to bottom), and gives children practice with tracking print and recognizing words in context. It also strengthens print concepts and vocabulary as kids see their own words in print and hear them read aloud.

Other options don’t fit as well because they skip this crucial link between spoken words and printed text. Reading all ideas aloud together doesn’t focus on individual word recognition in print. Having children copy and illustrate doesn’t build literacy with the actual text. Highlighting and naming letters is valuable, but without connecting those letters to meaningful print on the page, it misses the moment of linking oral language to written language.