Go beyond a model; reveal a Think Aloud

When introducing any literacy skill, teachers typically tell students what it is and show them some examples. However, teaching goes beyond telling. It reveals more than just what to do; it reveals the process for how to do it.

As an expert on the skill or subject, the teacher tends to execute the skill without putting much thought into it. But, it's that "automatic" process that needs to be dissected. Before students can master a skill, they need it presented concretely and precisely. There is a lot of invisible thinking that goes into accomplishing that skill.

Students need to know more than what the teacher did to achieve the skill. They need to be privy to the thoughts about how to do it, why to do it, when to do it, and where to do it as a reader/writer. These behind-the-scenes reader and writer thoughts need to accompany the skill modeled "live" in front of the students.

The difference between telling about an example and teaching through an example is the power of a Think Aloud. When Think Alouds are integrated into lessons, they include the teacher's slow-motion self-talk throughout the entire process.

Compare the difference between modeling a free-throw and Thinking Aloud while executing one, as shown in the video.

When planning a Think Aloud into any lesson, anticipate the struggles, questions, and confusions of students. How did you ___? Why are you ___? What about when___? How come ___? Answer these questions throughout your modeled example.

Done well, Think Alouds replace the students' novice thinking with the teacher's expert know-how.

Read the research behind Think Alouds:

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[victorsanabria]

Thank you so much for posting this. I really, really, really appreciated it!

[ibraahimqarxie]

you are an amazing teacher. Your lessons help us understand writing skills, thank you. In return I have subscribed to your channel, hit the like button and shared the video.

[christinerossi]

Fabulous explanation! I'm studying for the RICA and I needed a clearer understanding; this provided it very clearly! Thank you!

[Kairensclass]

Very well explained! This is so helpful! Thank you!

[mrmrsgonzalez]

I love this video! Thank you so much for sharing this, it helped me a lot!!

[SirenaJones]

0:03 I always say school is SUPPOSED to teach you HOW to think not WHAT to think. This modeling to think aloud concept just blew my mind. It is THE difference between a novice and the expert. The thoughts we all have between the words. The thoughts we all have between the actions!!
This takes away the need for countless iterations especially if doing a substandard way! I always tell my daughter - Practice does NOT make perfect, Perfect practice makes perfect! .. and this video right here?!… as the Mandolorian would say. “This is the way”! Beautifully delivered, poignant Message

[emmarutherfordvale]

This is great, and Think Aloud is great. I will say though, that the example given here of Think Aloud is really in my view just better quality instruction and modeling. You can model as a teacher and break down a physical skill e.g. 'You need to bend your knees, and lean forward a little. Now as you go to shoot, you don't aim for the ring ....' That is explicit teaching, what every good coach does. I would argue it is not Think Aloud. You don't need Think Aloud for throwing a basket because it's not really Thinking that you are making visible, it is each discrete movement and physical attention. All of the modelled talk was about what the player should do with their body, not what the person was thinking. Think Aloud reveals thinking processes, hence why it is so relevant to literacy and numeracy, because that IS about invisible processes - what is going on in your head. Basketball is about what you are doing with your body and you can model that, but as the instructor has shown, it is better accompanied by explicit verbal instructions that break down that skill verbally as well as visually because not all students will be able to see and break down those smaller skill parts.

[geovannam.]

Awesome, I'm learning so much about this! Thanks, I'm loving the content!

[davidheras]

This is very well explained! The thinking is the missing part in a lot of teaching.

[pafo]

Wow. I bet this could really work well for adults too. Especially adults with mental disorders.

I personally have a brother who has been overcoming some fairly serious schizophrenia.

I can totally envision him benefiting from me doing one of these "Think Alouds" with him while teaching him a new skill.

[johndadrumman]

Her free throw form...She played for sure lol.