Think Aloud Planning Sheet

Directions for Full Credit:​ Use the think aloud strategy planning sheet below to plan your strategy instruction. Please submit
this completed template to Canvas with the reflection.
Name: ​Tasmia Alam
Strategy: ​Preview Chart (Before)
Content Area and ELA Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.4

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative,
connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and
tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
Link to text: ​https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/john-boyega-speech-black-lives-matter/
Objective:
SWBAT:
● Follow and complete a worksheet checklist of analyzing rhetoric when reading the text
● Write their own argument/speech regarding the article while including a rhetorical device
(appeal to ethos, pathos or logos)
Link to Screencastify:
● https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UnM7g4GxneId2jpM7ysJD9lbcun3qDEv/view
● https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xVM-3QoaVvQsjrvWJ0ID4UjvOYBwX2qQ/view

Strategy Awareness & Explanation (Purpose for selecting the strategy)

How will provide students with a clear picture of the ​why​ and ​how​?

I decided on utilizing the preview chart as something they can do before when using rhetorical analysis
because sometimes you can notice an author’s purpose or certain aspects of rhetorical analysis such as
repetition first off. Additionally, when previewing a text, a good skim through can help establish an
idea on what the author’s purpose is. That, in return, will help students get a sense on what the author
is trying to do and what rhetoric they may use to further convey their message.

Strategy Demonstration & Modeling (Think Aloud)

How will you model, explain, practice, and reinforce the rules or procedures of the strategy?

What the Text Says What I Say What Comprehension Strategy

I Model
“​A new leader came into power in
1933. He was head of the National
Socialist, or Nazi party.
Picture before the article
“Watch John Boyega’s Powerful
Speech at London’s Black Lives
Matter Protests”
Finding the introduction (prior
to reading the introduction)
“As Londoners gathered in their
thousands yesterday to protest
the killing of George Floyd,
British actor John Boyega
delivered an extremely
emotional and powerful speech
to the crowd. Speaking to
fellow protesters, Boyega
detailed his experience of
racism in the UK, and
doubled-down on the
“This part makes me ask all sorts of Asking questions
questions. Was Hitler elected the
head, like we elect presidents? Or was
he born into a family of leaders like a
king and queen.”
“The first picture up top makes Preview Chart: how do the
me think the article will be graphics relate to the topic?
talking about him, so this must
be John Boyega
“This is the title, so when I look Preview Chart: Convert Title to
at the title, it makes me wonder Question
what it’s about, so I will turn it
in a question, “watch John
Boyega's powerful speech at
London’s Black Lives Matter
protests? Sounds funny, I know
but I’m curious!”
“From the title, it seems like N/A
they want me to watch a video,
in this article, I see there is
some text before the video
being linked. Because they
haven’t presented the video on
top, I can tell that all the text
before the video is the
introduction, so I’m going to
read those 3 short paragraphs.
It might be hard for me to
understand all of the text, so I
will read it one paragraph at a
time, so I can understand what
the key takeaways are.”
“After reading this first Preview Chart: Read
paragraph, everything seems Introduction- list main points
important to me, but I
obviously can’t copy and paste
everything. Hmm, if I were to
explain this to someone who
hasn’t read it, what would I
say? I think following the 4W’s
who what where when as well
as how might help summarize
the section. Looking at it, it
importance of community love,
power, and togetherness”
After stating that he "may not
have a career after this,"
Boyega acknowledged that
speaking up is more important;
that the days of protesting are
dedicated to the "innocent
people who were halfway
through that [career] process"
— we'll never know what
George Floyd and Sandra Bland
could have achieved.
(Star Wars and Lucasfilm
Entertainment have since
tweeted a pledge of full support
for Boyega writing "we will
commit to being part of the
change that is long overdue in
the world" and labeling Boyega
as a "hero." However, it has
been noted that Disney and the
entailing production companies
were mute when Boyega
encountered racism during his
time with the Star Wars
franchise, including the erasure
of his image from posters
during marketing and
promotion for the movies.)
“We are a physical
representation of our support
for George Floyd. We are a
physical representation in our
support for Sandra Bland. We
are a physical representation on
our support for Trayvon Martin.
We are a physical
representation of our support
seems like there was a Black
Lives Matter protest in London,
and a British actor named John
Boyega delivered a powerful
speech about the movement
and racism.”
“This paragraph is really short, Preview Chart: Read
and it talks more about Introduction- list main points
Boyega’s speech. The main
takeaway I can see from this is
about how Boyega talks about
how speaking about BLM might
end his career but it is
important to speak out because
those who have died were not
able to achieve their careers”
Preview Chart: Read end of
section- list main points
“Since I’m skimming, I will go to Preview Chart: Read end of
the end of the article, I don’t section- list main
recommend doing this for points/important things you
books because there will notice
definitely be a lot of spoilers,
but it’s okay for articles!
Looking at the bottom of the
article, I see there is a line next
to the text, which is in quotes.
 for Stephen Lawrence, for Mark
Duggan.”
“Guys, we don’t leave here and
stop. We don’t leave here and
stop. This is longevity. Some of
you are artists. Some of you are
bankers. Some of you are
lawyers. Some of you own shop
stores, you are important.”
Maybe it’s because it is
Boyerga’s speech. Scrolling all
to the bottom, I can’t help but
notice that there are
repetitions, with these lines, as
well as this one. This might be a
rhetoric appeal!

Video Thumbnail Scrolling a little up, I see the Preview Chart: how do the
video thumbnail, which shows graphics relate to the topic?
John talking, and he seems
passionate!”

Guided Practice
How will you have students practice the strategy with support?

Before reading students will have this chart they have to fill out and will fill out while I teach them the
strategy. The chart will be tweaked slightly to things they noticed in the text immediately, i.e.
repetition, graphics, different fonts in the article, that may aid their introduction of the article in terms
of rhetorical analysis. I will come around and check virtually within the breakout rooms if they have any
questions as they try to complete it together.

Strategy Application
How will students apply the strategy independently?
By skimming the articles about BLM on their own, and taking note of anything they find to be different,
a pattern, as well as reading the first paragraph and the last paragraph to get a feel for what the
article/text may be about prior to a thorough reading. They will submit this organizer to me to check.

​ -3 paragraph detailed reflection​ about your teaching experience based off your
Reflection ​Write a 2
own self-assessment.
● How did the structure (awareness & explanation, demonstration & modeling, guided practice,
application) help support your instruction and student learning?
● How does this strategy support learning in your discipline specifically?
● What were your strengths, and areas for growth (please consider both your planning and your
instruction of the strategy).

I think my read aloud was nice and clear and it explained how I would use the chart while
reading/thinking about it. It also showed other strategies such as, if I didn’t know a word, I googled it,
and I followed a system when summarizing the text. This preview chart will help support my students by
getting their gears going about their rhetorical analysis. Additionally, it will help them understand what
the text will be about before they even read it.

Regarding my discipline, which is English, this chart will be very useful, as it allows readers to skim the
material and understand what the article is about before actually reading it. This allows them to really
figure out whether this article will aid in their research or not, as well as the relevancy of it. It can also
help them learn how to skim effectively to the point where the chart will not be needed.

I think my strengths were that I was good at thinking about the text, however, I feel as if I should have
found a better and shorter relevant text, as my explanation was long. I know by the first video, students
would be able to figure out how they should get this assignment done, but I also wanted to be thorough
enough for students who may want a full walkthrough of the assignment.