The Think-Aloud Method

A study reviewing the effects of the think-aloud method on student achievement in the classroom.

Have you heard of the think- Have you used the think-aloud
Recommendations for Usage:
aloud method? method in your classroom?
No
Model the thought process
18% No
27%
for the students to mimic.
Break down unfamiliar
vocabulary
Model comprehension
Yes
Yes
73%
strategies!
82%

When you use think-alouds, If you modeled think-alouds for your students,
how do you use it? have you seen your students perform think-
alouds individually without prompting?

Both
30%

No
Organically
44%
47%
Yes
56%

Planned
23%

Advice for Implementing Think-Alouds 

"Think-alouds let students know that it’s ok to talk "We need to teach students to think by modeling our
through your thoughts :)" own thinking. It can be awkward at first to pause and
explain what you’re thinking but with practice it can
"Do them often! It’s very helpful for students. They
help strength student comprehension."
do use this."
"Just do it, they get easier with practice and students
"Be specific! If you leave it too vague, students
need to see academic thinking in action."
will be confused. They need detailed, concrete
examples before they can do it on their own." "Model! model! model! Pre-plan how you will model this
and set predetermined points where you will model.
"Have a combination of planned and authentic
Offer students the opportunity to practice think alouds
think alouds. For math, I use most of it
with you and each other using a variety of texts."
authentically to explain a problem, but for
reading I often will sticky note my books to make "Start small."
a specific point."