What practice aids first graders most in understanding literacy concepts?

Regular oral questioning during literacy activities is particularly beneficial for first graders in understanding literacy concepts because it actively engages students in the learning process. This method encourages them to think critically about the material, articulate their understanding, and clarify any misconceptions they may have. It fosters an interactive learning environment where children feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and responses, which is crucial at this developmental stage.

Oral questioning allows teachers to gauge student comprehension in real-time and adjust instruction accordingly. It helps promote vocabulary development and improves listening skills, as children must process questions and formulate thoughtful answers. This dynamic interaction not only reinforces their literacy skills but also builds their confidence in using language, which is essential for their overall literacy development.

While the other options like structured phonics exercises, word games with peers, and visual aids also contribute to literacy learning, they do not engage students in the same direct communicative way that oral questioning does. Structured phonics exercises focus more on decoding and spelling than on comprehension, word games may not always target specific literacy objectives, and visual aids primarily enhance learning but may lack the interactive component that oral questioning provides.