Final answer:
Looking over the running record allows for a better understanding of reading material through informal analysis, enables close-reading practice in a supportive environment, and prepares students for formal essay writing by reflecting on text impressions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of looking over the running record, analyzing why the student miscued, and employing strategies to help the student with miscues is manifold. Primarily, it helps students better understand the reading material through informal analysis, enabling students to practice close reading skills in a relaxed and supportive environment. This iterative process enhances reading comprehension and fluency, and ultimately, it serves as a precursor in preparing students for writing more formal essays by encouraging them to record and reflect upon their initial impressions of a text.
During this process, experts, such as educators or tutors, leverage their experience to anticipate potential answers and to identify any mistakes that may not be immediately obvious. This critical analysis and the practice of rereading can sharpen a student's focus on the finer details of the text. Additionally, this type of review can be applied by student writers to their work, prompting them to reassess their written content and structure to ensure alignment with their desired goals, based on specific evaluative criteria or rubrics. It is also important to recognize that different students will exhibit different levels of understanding and miscues, stressing the importance of tailored scoring schemes and assessment practices, such as formative assessments, that greatly support a student's progress toward mastery of reading and writing skills.