A former kindergarten teacher recently transitioned to teaching fourth grade. She is having difficulty finding an appropriately leveled read aloud for her new students. She should ask the ________ for help.

The library/media specialist is the ideal resource for the former kindergarten teacher transitioning to fourth grade in search of an appropriately leveled read-aloud. These specialists possess a deep understanding of a wide range of literature and can recommend books that align with the reading levels, interests, and curriculum needs of the fourth-grade students. They are trained to support teachers by providing access to diverse reading materials that can engage students and enhance their literacy skills. This professional also often has knowledge of various genres, themes, and teaching strategies that can be integrated into read-aloud sessions.

In contrast, while the speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, and instructional aide each play crucial roles in supporting student learning, they have more specific functions. The speech and language therapist focuses on students' communication skills, the occupational therapist addresses fine motor skills and daily living activities, and the instructional aide assists teachers with classroom management and individualized student support. These roles may not provide the specialized expertise in literacy and book selection that the library/media specialist uniquely offers.