During write-aloud sessions, what should a teacher focus on to promote print awareness?

Focusing on discussing print and its features while writing during write-aloud sessions is vital for promoting print awareness among learners. Print awareness involves understanding that print carries meaning, recognizing print in various forms, and being aware of how print is structured—such as spacing, directionality, and the difference between letters, words, and sentences. By highlighting these features during the writing process, the teacher effectively demonstrates the connection between oral language and written text, helping students grasp how to navigate and interpret print in their environment.

This approach provides students with the foundational skills necessary for reading development, encouraging them to see print as a fundamental aspect of communication. Discussing letters, words, spaces, and other print elements during writing sessions not only reinforces their understanding but also models how print functions in real-time creation, which is essential for their evolving literacy skills.