6.1 Write-Aloud

When and Where Did I Find It:   This is a label for an instructional strategy which is discussed in Chapter 6 (p. 123) of our LTED 625 text, Content Area Writing Instruction. 
Full citation Daniels, H., Zemelman, S. & Steineke, N. (2007).  Content-area writing:  Every teacher's guide.  Portsmouth, NH:  Heinemann.

What it means: The authors describe a write-aloud as an instructional strategy in which the teacher "models the writing task by talking your thoughts aloud as you project your draft for students to see."( Daniels, Zemelman & Steineke, 2007, p. 123).  

Level of Familiarity: I am familiar type of instructional strategy; although in my professional training it was simply called modeling or a writing mini-lesson. 

Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why?   Yes, not only do I want to know this word well, I want to be able to use this strategy in my own practices. As Daniels, Zemelman and Steineke suggest, " modeling a writing task aloud....not only show the kind of thinking and organizing and explaining that smark writers use but also allows you to lead the way in taking some risks, yourself, just as you are asking the students to do." (p. 123). 

Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY?:   I would hope my teacher of literacy would recognize the value in knowing how to use "think alouds" and "modeling" when teaching both writing and reading across the content areas.