What should a teacher do during a read-aloud to support comprehension?

• A. Just read without stopping.
• B. Skip pages.
• C. Pause to discuss the text and ask questions, using pictures as cues.
• D. Have students copy text.

Answer: (C)

During a read-aloud, turning the session into an interactive meaning-making activity is key. Pausing to discuss the text and asking questions invites students to articulate their thinking, connect the story to what they already know, and actively monitor their understanding as the story develops. Using pictures as cues supports comprehension by linking words to visuals, clarifying unfamiliar vocabulary, and providing a shared reference that supports discussion.

This interactive approach helps students practice predicting, clarifying, questioning, and summarizing in real time, which strengthens overall comprehension.

Reading straight through without stopping misses chances to check understanding; skipping pages reduces exposure to the text; and having students copy text doesn’t promote meaning-making.