What Is A Think Along?

 

 

A think along is when the teacher reads aloud and thinks aloud while students follow along. The students actually think along with you and they tell you what it is you are doing and why immediately after you report on a section of a text. 

Step by-Step process of a think-along:

The teacher will think-aloud…so the students can think-along!

The Modeling Process

1.     Read (or tell) a story to you students while they…

2.     …follow along as you read the story.

3.     Share your predictions and reading strategies by telling them to your students.

4.     After reading, ask your students what you were telling them as you read.

5.     Make a list on the chalkboard at the students describe how you read.

6.     Have the students use the checklist to keep track of your reading strategies as you read a second story.

7.     Have a student model the think-along process for the class.

8.     Use shared reading, paired reading, and dramatic readings to practice and develop the thinking strategies.

9.     Discuss how writing is a think-along process.

…and here’s the most important part about think along strategies: You can’t use think-along strategies unless you’re comprehending.

Strategies Revealed While Doing a Think-along!

·        Guessing the meaning of words

·        Thinking about what you know

·        Making guesses

·        Changing your mind

·        Taking the part of the character

·        Using the background to make sense of the story

·        Telling what you thought (your opinions)

·        Getting excited about the story

·        Summarizing as you read

·        Making up pictures in your head

·        Re-reading and fixing up

·        Not deciding right away

·        Using your hands and body to think about the story