In a print awareness assessment using a storybook, what is a recommended teacher activity?

• A. Ask children to point out uppercase/lowercase letters and punctuation marks
• B. Have them memorize the story
• C. Read aloud without questions
• D. Count words on each page

Answer: (A)

Focusing attention on the forms of printed language during a read-aloud builds print awareness. When you ask children to point out uppercase versus lowercase letters and to notice punctuation marks in a storybook, you’re helping them see that print has distinct shapes and that punctuation signals meaning and pauses. This active noticing links spoken language to written symbols, which is a key step in understanding how books work and how reading proceeds.

Other activities don’t develop that awareness as effectively. Memorizing the story isn’t about how print works, reading aloud without questions misses opportunities to discuss how letters and punctuation organize text, and simply counting words on a page emphasizes quantity over how print conveys meaning and directionality.