What is the best way for a teacher to understand how to assist a student struggling with a reading assignment?

Listening carefully while the student reads aloud is an effective method for a teacher to understand the specific challenges the student is facing with the reading assignment. By observing the student’s reading abilities in real-time, the teacher can identify areas of difficulty such as pronunciation, fluency, comprehension, and pacing. This direct interaction allows the teacher to gain insight into the student's understanding of the text and the strategies they employ while reading.

Moreover, this approach fosters a supportive environment where the student may feel more comfortable expressing confusion or asking questions. It provides an opportunity for immediate feedback, which can be crucial in helping the student improve their reading skills. This method is interactive, allowing the teacher to engage with the student more effectively compared to written summaries or guides, which do not reveal the nuances of the student's reading process.