Verbal Reasoning

According to Dieter (2022b), proficient readers demonstrate the following behaviors while engaging with a text:

They draw logical inferences by using context clues and recognizing patterns within the text.
They integrate information by making connections within the text itself, with other texts, and with the world around them.
They navigate abstract language to interpret not only the literal content but, more importantly, the deeper meaning behind the text.

That’s where the real insight happens!

What is Verbal Reasoning?

Braintrust Tutors (2023) explains verbal reasoning as the mental process through which we interpret and understand both what we read and what we hear. The term “verbal” relates to “words,” and this reasoning ability works hand-in-hand with our problem-solving skills. In essence, verbal reasoning involves using words as clues to unravel the “mystery” of the text. Who doesn’t enjoy a good mystery?

Figurative vs. Literal Language

Let’s look at the cat DNA article we've been analyzing. It begins with the sentence:
"When it comes to revealing when and how wild felines became couch kitties, the cat is starting to come out of the bag" (Hesman Saey, 2017).

As Jill Staake (2023) states:
"Verbal reasoning means understanding when words are used figuratively versus literally. This includes recognizing metaphors, analogies, idioms, and other forms of figurative language."

The playful wording in this opening line calls for a more literal interpretation. For example, the phrase “couch kitties” conjures a silly image of cats resembling couches. However, an adept reader understands that “couch kitties” refers to wild cats becoming domesticated pets who enjoy sitting on people’s laps while they relax on the couch.

To make this mental leap from literal to figurative, background knowledge plays a key role. Students familiar with cats likely know that many enjoy snuggling with their owners on the couch, helping them picture what a “couch kitty” represents.

Similarly, exposure to idioms and colloquial expressions aids in translating meaning. Students who recognize the phrase “cat out of the bag” understand it as revealing a secret or truth. Therefore, they don’t expect an actual cat escaping a bag but realize the article is signaling new knowledge about how cats became domesticated.

In terms of figurative language, students with strong verbal reasoning can infer that “the cat” serves as a metaphor for knowledge or truth, while “the bag” symbolizes hidden understanding or learning. The Verbal Reasoning Anchor Chart below illustrates how these components work together and is also available in the Course Guides folder for your reference.

Understanding Depth of Knowledge: How We Help Your Child Think More Deeply

When your child learns at school, they don’t just memorize facts — they also develop important thinking skills that help them understand and apply what they’ve learned. One way teachers think about this is through something called Depth of Knowledge, or DOK for short.

DOK helps us understand how deeply your child is thinking about a topic. There are four levels, each building on the one before, to help your child grow from basic knowledge to complex thinking.

Level 1: Remembering and Recalling
At this first level, students focus on remembering facts or doing simple tasks. For example, they might be asked to list vocabulary words, define a term, or solve a basic math problem. This is important because it lays the foundation for all learning.
Level 2: Using Skills and Concepts
Next, your child begins to apply what they know by organizing information or making simple connections. They might compare two characters in a story, summarize what they read, or classify items based on their properties. This level requires understanding, not just memorizing.
Level 3: Thinking Strategically
Here, students start to think more deeply. They use evidence to explain their answers or solve problems that need multiple steps. For instance, your child might analyze a passage to understand the author’s message or explain how they solved a complex math problem.
Level 4: Extended and Complex Thinking
The highest level involves big-picture thinking over time. Students might conduct research projects, design experiments, or create presentations that connect ideas from different subjects. This level encourages creativity, problem-solving, and applying knowledge to real-life situations.
By working through these levels, your child strengthens critical thinking skills that will help them succeed both in school and beyond. Teachers use DOK to plan lessons and assessments that challenge students in the right ways, supporting them as they grow from learning facts to mastering complex ideas.

If you have questions about how your child is progressing or want examples of activities they’re doing at school, please feel free to reach out!

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