Think-Aloud

Think-aloud is one of the most effective ways a

teacher can model all the effective comprehension
strategies a fluent reader uses to gain meaning
from the printed page. The teacher can utilize this
activity in the following way:
1. Beforehand, the teacher makes copies of the text passage
that will be demonstrated or prepares it for projection.
Pre-reading
2. After looking at the cover or the title and the illustrations
in the passage, the teacher ruminates aloud as to what the
passage might be about.
During Reading
3. The teacher reads the passage aloud as the children track.
The teacher continually organizes images by explaining the
passage after every sentence or paragraph.
4. The teacher answers aloud such questions as,
What am I reminded of here that I already know?
(tapping prior knowledge)
What are some ways I can get help in understanding unfamiliar words and/or ideas? (monitoring understanding)
What does this remind me of in my own life? (making
connections)
5. After modeling the reading of several paragraphs in this
fashion, the teacher invites children to add their own problemsolving tactics and personal impressions by reading
succeeding passages in pairs.