What principle does the "five-finger rule" support?

The five-finger rule is a strategy designed to help students select books that match their individual reading levels. When using this method, a student picks a book and reads the first page, raising a finger each time they encounter a word they do not know or cannot pronounce. The number of fingers raised indicates how appropriate the book might be for their reading abilities.

If a student raises too many fingers (typically five or more), it suggests that the book may be too challenging and that they should look for a different book that might offer a better balance of comprehension and challenge. This technique empowers students to make informed decisions about their reading choices, ensuring that they engage with texts that will support their learning and growth. By doing so, the five-finger rule plays a significant role in fostering independence in readers as they navigate their choices.

The other options do not directly relate to the purpose of the five-finger rule. For instance, while repeated reading can enhance fluency (as mentioned in the first option), and reading aloud in small groups has its own merits, these are not the focus of the five-finger rule. Additionally, evaluating comprehension is a task more suited to formal assessments rather than a strategy for book selection.