Teaching Inference

Using Think Aloud

November 18, 2009

What is a Think Aloud?

• "Think-alouds" (Davey, 1983) help students understand the kind of thinking required by a specific task.

• The teacher models thinking process by – verbalizing thoughts – processing information – performing a learning task

http://www.tantasqua.org/superintendent/Profdevelopment/etthinkalouds.html

Why Use Think Aloud?

• Students see how the teacher – constructs meaning– engages in dialogue with the author – recognizes comprehension difficulty and

selects a fix-up strategy

• Ineffective readers benefit from a skilled reader modeling thinking.

http://www.tantasqua.org/superintendent/Profdevelopment/etthinkalouds.html

How Does It Work?

1. Select a passage to read aloud

2. Develop plan/script/questions

3. While students read the passage silently, read it aloud and verbalize thoughts, questions, and processes.

4. Have students partner to practice "think-alouds.”

What Does It Look Like?

http://int.cysd.k12.pa.us/strategies/Reading/thinkaloud.htm

What Does It Look Like?

• Teaching inference with videos– http://educononline.com/2009/01/26/teaching-

inference-with-videos/

• Watch short video together

• Watch again– Teacher will think aloud about connections,

predictions, inferences

• Students will ask questions and comment on observations of teacher behavior

How Many Inferences?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV8yfpKUnmg&feature=related

Make an Inference…or two

Your Turn

• Work in pairs

• Watch video

• Discuss inferences necessary

• Develop think-aloud script

• Share

For January 6, 2010

• Choose a lesson that requires inference

• Model inference making with think-aloud

• Complete task sheet

• Be ready to share and discuss on 1/6/10

Resources

http://wvde.state.wv.us/strategybank/comprehension.html

Examples from subject areas (from a link on the Teach 21 site)

http://www.tantasqua.org/superintendent/Profdevelopment/etthinkalouds.html

Inference Wiki

https://WHSinference.pbworks.com