Literacy Matters Winter 2022

framework. Still, the key is for teachers to get to know their students’ culture, communication styles, and experiences to best tailor their instruction. Teaching does not have to resemble each students’ cultural features and procedures in their entirety, but instruction should be highly influenced by them (Gay, 2018). Conclusion Utilizing think-alouds in reading instruction is a transparent method to equip students with the strategies they need for reading success. To further empower students, think-alouds become more effective when paired with components of culturally responsive teaching. Students enter the classroom with many experiences and various learning and communication styles. When teachers take the time to know and understand their students and their students’ cultures, learning styles, and communication, and incorporate these aspects of their students into classroom instruction, they do a significant service to their students. They leave minimal room for misconceptions, highlight students’ strengths, and empower students to take control of their learning.

meant. What is a night on the sea like? How could it relate to lemon pudding? Maybe, the top of the pudding had cream arranged like waves. Maybe the pudding was smooth like a calm sea. ” In this example, Elisa demonstrated a strategy to use when comprehension isn’t met - questioning. She paused while reading and showed the students how to ask questions to figure out the meanings of unfamiliar phrases. Elisa referred to think-alouds as self-talk to her students. She encouraged her students to talk to themselves to make sense of unfamiliar words and phrases. the workshops, I observed what instructional strategies the teachers had already implemented. I noticed their CRT and the aspects of CRT they incorporated. Both Craig and Elisa allowed their students opportunities for small group and partner talk to enhance learning (they knew their students like to communicate their thinking). Both teachers used students’ references (what they knew about the students and the community) for text-to-self connections. There are numerous ways to utilize this instructional The scenarios above demonstrate how teachers can implement think-aloud instruction while also including aspects of CRT. Before

Literacy Matters Feature Article

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