What is the purpose of asking a student to identify punctuation marks in a book?

Identifying punctuation marks in a book plays a significant role in teaching students about concepts of print, which is crucial for developing their reading skills. When children recognize punctuation, they learn the structure and flow of sentences, how to differentiate between statements, questions, and exclamations, and the importance of pauses while reading. This foundational knowledge is essential for early literacy development, as it helps students understand how written language functions and prepares them to read fluently and with comprehension.

Engaging with punctuation marks also familiarizes students with the elements of written language, making them aware of how punctuation influences meaning and how it guides the reader's expression during reading. This helps to cultivate their ability to decode text and enhances their overall literacy development, which is a vital component in becoming proficient readers and writers.