Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

Which activity can teachers model to promote reading comprehension?

1. Thinking aloud and monitoring their understanding

2. Ignoring difficult passages

3. Reading quickly without pause

4. Avoiding summarization and conclusions

The correct answer is: Thinking aloud and monitoring their understanding

Thinking aloud and monitoring understanding is an effective strategy for promoting reading comprehension because it provides students with insight into the cognitive processes involved in understanding a text. When teachers model this activity, they verbalize their thoughts as they read, discussing how they make predictions, clarify confusing sections, and visualize content. This transparency allows students to see how to approach a text critically, helping them develop their own strategies for comprehension. By actively engaging with the text in this way, students learn to be more aware of their own understanding and can practice self-monitoring, which is crucial for identifying when they need to re-read or seek additional clarification. This technique also fosters a classroom environment where thinking critically about reading is encouraged, promoting deeper understanding and retention of the material.