Context Examples:
Reading: Teachers can select an appropriate text to read to the class. During this time, they can ask various questions, make predictions, use context clues to define unknown vocabulary words and make connections to their own lived experiences. For example, when reading Charlotte's Web, the teacher may ask students why they think Fern's father let her keep the pig for a pet or how Fern's behavior is similar/different from their parents etc.
Math: Teachers can introduce the think-aloud strategy in math when working with money. Think aloud about how much money will be I collected if seven cartons of milk are ordered for 50 cents each. You may begin by saying, "One carton of milk is 50 cents. If I skip-count by 50 cents seven times, I can find the total cost: 50 cents, $1.00, $1.50, $2.00, $2.50, $3.00, $3.50. So 7 cartons of milk at 50 cents each is $3.50." You may wish to emphasize that there is more than one way to arrive at the total cost by adding, "Let me check to make sure that's right. I'll use a different strategy this time. If one carton of milk costs 50 cents, then two cartons cost $1.00. I have three groups of two cartons, that's $3.00. And 50 cents more for the seventh carton would make a total of $3.50." Invite students to offer additional strategies, perhaps involving multiplication, repeated addition, or other mental math.
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/math-think-alouds
Social Studies: Teachers can ask students to think about timelines and sequences of events. For example, when reading a short passage on the Civil War, students can think about the series of events that led up to the war. By thinking out loud, students will be able to verbalize their thoughts and/or ideas with their peers to develop a deeper understanding of the text.
Math: Teachers can introduce the think-aloud strategy in math when working with money. Think aloud about how much money will be I collected if seven cartons of milk are ordered for 50 cents each. You may begin by saying, "One carton of milk is 50 cents. If I skip-count by 50 cents seven times, I can find the total cost: 50 cents, $1.00, $1.50, $2.00, $2.50, $3.00, $3.50. So 7 cartons of milk at 50 cents each is $3.50." You may wish to emphasize that there is more than one way to arrive at the total cost by adding, "Let me check to make sure that's right. I'll use a different strategy this time. If one carton of milk costs 50 cents, then two cartons cost $1.00. I have three groups of two cartons, that's $3.00. And 50 cents more for the seventh carton would make a total of $3.50." Invite students to offer additional strategies, perhaps involving multiplication, repeated addition, or other mental math.
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/math-think-alouds
Social Studies: Teachers can ask students to think about timelines and sequences of events. For example, when reading a short passage on the Civil War, students can think about the series of events that led up to the war. By thinking out loud, students will be able to verbalize their thoughts and/or ideas with their peers to develop a deeper understanding of the text.
References:
Block, C. (2014). The ABCs of performing highly effective think-alouds. The Reading Teacher, 58(2), 154-167
Cox, J. (n.d.). Teaching Strategies: Think-Alouds. Retrieved October 1, 2015, from http://www.teachhub.com/teaching-strategies-think-alouds
Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Classroom strategies: Think-alouds. Retrieved September 28, 2015. From http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/think_alouds
Wilhelm, J. D. (2011). Improving Comprehension with Think-Aloud Strategies. New York: Scholastic Inc.