Interactive Think Alouds |
Research: In this strategy the teacher models "thinking aloud". By watching the teacher, students will learn how to become better readers. The purpose of this strategy is to show students how good
readers can make meaning of the text (WETA, 2014d).
Using think alouds serves many purposes.
First, it helps students learn to monitor comprehension and check their
understanding of what is being read. It also show students it is okay to, “re-read
a sentence, read ahead to clarify, and/or look for context clues to make sense
of what they read” (WETA, 2014d). This also
slows down reading, so students see that reading also requires time to
think.
Student Benefits: Students see an example of a fluent, expressive, thoughtful reader. The teacher serves as a role model and also allows them opportunities to share their thinking. It fosters the principles of Gradual Release of Responsibility. Procedures: (WETA, 2014d) 1.) Model the strategy for students by modeling your thinking as you read. Choose points ahead of time that show new words, confusing parts, or places to ask a question. 2.) Discuss the purpose of the strategy with students and share these questions stems with them, using them in your read aloud: -What do I know about this topic? -What do I think I will learn about this topic? -Do I understand what I just read? -Do I have a clear picture in my head about this information? -What more can I do to understand this? -What were the most important points in this reading? -What new information did I learn? -How does it fit in with what I already know? 3.) Give students time to practice as well, giving them feedback. |
Writing Ideas: After several read alouds with teacher modeling, stop at various points and have students write down their thoughts. Have them work in partners or eventually individually, to construct responses to "show their work" in thinking
Web Sources: http://edtp620.pbworks.com/f/interactivereadaloud.pdf (discusses how to effectively implement and how to use in a middle school setting) https://www.polk-fl.net/staff/teachers/reading/documents/Read180Day1/Monday3/ToThinkOrN_Escandell/TOTHINKORNHO_ESCANDELL1.pdf (a lesson plan in action) http://www.readwritethink.org/resources/resource-print.html?id=139 (how to gradually release students) http://www.justbooksreadaloud.com/ (over 500 books that can be read aloud to students through audio) |