Final answer:
Teachers should ideally guide students at any stage of the reading process to effectively aid in the construction and reinforcement of mental models. This approach aligns with critical reading and problem-solving strategies that contribute to a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the text. The correct option is D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best time for teachers to guide students' thinking as they construct a mental model is d. At any stage of the reading process. Effective reading strategies, including constructing mental models, can be introduced before reading to provide direction, during reading to facilitate understanding, and after reading to consolidate comprehension and encourage reflection.
When tackling complex texts, such as philosophical works, adhering to the steps of pre-read, first read, and close read greatly enhances the chances of grasping the material. Moreover, critical reading is integral to academic success as it fosters critical thinking, which is a foundational skill in all aspects of education.
Teachers play a crucial role in honing students' reading skills through the modeling process that includes attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. These stages underline the importance of constant teacher involvement for optimal learning outcomes. Problem-solving strategies that teachers introduce are also vital teaching tools, particularly when they are aligned with reading tasks and content analysis.
As such, guidance can be effectively administered throughout a student's engagement with texts to foster a deeper love for literature and to reinforce cognitive learning and problem-solving. This form of engagement ensures that cognitive learning is not merely an act of visual processing but a comprehensive interaction with the content.