Interactive Read/Think Aloud Explicit Comprehension Instruction for Elementary Readers

Session Objectives Define think aloud Describe how the read aloud becomes interactive Before, during, and after reading Learner outcomes Video demonstration Where do I go from here? Questions and Thoughts

What Is a Think Aloud? Thinking Aloud is eavesdropping on your thinking Making the process of comprehension visible to students

Interactive Read Aloud How is it interactive? How is think aloud incorporated? What is the student role in the interactive read/think aloud? Objectives of this instructional strategy

Tools for the Interactive Read Aloud Clipboards Post-it notes Comfortable space for listening Posters to make learning visible

Before Reading Revisit prior lesson Use student thinking to guide teaching Set a focus for new read aloud Reminders and Questions

During Reading Teacher modeling Explicit instruction of comprehension Guided Practice in discussing literature Assessment of individual learning as students share Opportunity for differentiation Social learning Using misconceptions as teaching points

After Reading Opportunity for individualization Clarification of student thinking as they post their notes Posters make student thinking visible Reading the notes is essential!

Learner Outcomes Identification of comprehension strategies Guided practice of literature discussion How Readers Think

Goals of the Interactive Read/Think Aloud Formative Assessment Instruction (Explicit) Guided Practice Differentiation

Where Do I Go From Here? How to bring this into your classroom tomorrow: –Select a text appropriate for your desired outcomes. –Picture books are a great place to start! –Model, model, model –Plan your instruction (but...) –Be ready for the students to take you in an unplanned direction

Questions? Thoughts? The Childrens School