Which instructional strategy is most appropriate for conducting a whole-class read-aloud to promote comprehension?

Choosing to encourage children to ask questions about the story details during a whole-class read-aloud is highly effective for promoting comprehension. This strategy actively engages students in the reading process, prompting them to think critically about the text, make connections, and clarify their understanding. When students pose questions, they become more involved participants in the reading experience, which can lead to deeper comprehension and retention of the material.

Asking questions fosters a sense of curiosity and encourages discussion among peers, allowing students to explore different perspectives and interpretations of the story. This dialogue can enhance comprehension as students consider various aspects of the text, such as character motivations, plot developments, and themes.

While other strategies like retelling the story, providing vocabulary definitions, or summarizing can be beneficial in their own contexts, they may not promote the same level of interactive and dynamic engagement as encouraging questioning does during a read-aloud session. Each of those strategies might serve specific purposes, but focusing on student-generated questions creates an environment conducive to thoughtful discussion and deeper understanding of the narrative.