What does "retelling" refer to in reading comprehension?

Retelling refers to a strategy where students summarize a text in their own words, demonstrating their understanding of the material. This process requires the reader to identify key ideas, themes, and details from the text and articulate them in a coherent manner. It emphasizes comprehension and allows educators to assess how well a student has grasped the content. By encouraging children to restate what they have read, they engage critically with the material, reinforcing their understanding and memory of the text. This practice supports the development of both verbal skills and cognitive comprehension, making it an essential component of effective reading instruction.