Students in a fourth-grade reading group are reading a passage about snakes. Their teacher asks, "Who can think of a good title that summarizes what this passage is about?" After hearing several good suggestions, the teacher says, "The author says that snakes are helpful to farmers. What evidence does she give to support her statement?" If we consider Vygotsky's concept of internalization, we might predict that such a discussion will:
A) Be more beneficial for students who are working outside their zones of proximal development than for students working inside their ZPDs.
B) Help students develop a greater interest in learning for its own sake.
C) Help students develop effective reading comprehension strategies e.g., summarizing, looking for supporting statements).
D) Be confusing and counterproductive for students who are not yet capable of abstract thought.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This discussion is likely to help students develop effective reading comprehension strategies, specifically summarizing and looking for supporting evidence. Vygotsky's concept of internalization suggests that social interaction and discussion can help students internalize new strategies and knowledge, leading to greater independent competence. This is particularly true when students are working within their zones of proximal development, or the range of tasks that are just beyond their current level of competence. By discussing the evidence for the author's claim about snakes, students are likely to develop better comprehension skills and a deeper understanding of the text.

Students in a Fourth-Grade Reading Group Are Reading a Passage