What is the purpose of having a student retell the text after a reading session?

Having a student retell the text after a reading session primarily serves to enhance understanding and retention of the material. When students articulate what they have read, they engage in a reflective process that requires them to think critically about the content, structure, and key ideas of the text. This active involvement helps solidify their comprehension of the material, as they must summarize and organize their thoughts coherently. It encourages deeper processing of the information, which leads to better retention and recall in the future.

While vocabulary knowledge, preparation for standardized testing, and writing skills are important aspects of literacy development, the primary function of retelling focuses on the reader's ability to grasp and internalize the text, making understanding and retention the main goal of this activity.