Why is it appropriate for a teacher to rephrase a question after a student's incorrect response?

Rephrasing a question after a student's incorrect response is appropriate because it helps the student focus on the question itself, offering them another chance to understand and engage with the material. By reformulating the question, the teacher can clarify any ambiguities that may have led to the initial misunderstanding. This technique invites the student to reconsider their thoughts and prompts critical thinking, which can facilitate a better grasp of the concept being discussed.

Rephrasing demonstrates to the student that their input is valued and encourages an ongoing dialogue rather than a conclusion based on a single answer. This supportive approach enhances the learning environment and fosters a sense of perseverance in students, as they are given another opportunity to participate and learn from their mistakes without feeling discouraged.

The other options do not align with the goal of encouraging student engagement and understanding. Offering the answer directly would limit the student's own reasoning process, while instructing students to ignore previous mistakes can undermine the learning from errors. Increasing the difficulty of the question may not be suitable at this stage, especially if the student is still working to grasp the foundational concepts.