Imagine…

Reading to Learn

By Jennifer Overfelt

Rationale:  It is important for children to visualize printed text.  Visualization encourages creativity and imagination.  Children are able to make the story come to life and really experience the author’s vision.

Materials:  Copy paper; markers; crayons; Shanghai Knights by Ellen Miles; Junie B., First Grader (at last) by Barbara Park; evaluation criteria checklist

Procedure: 

1.  EVERYONE, FIND YOUR SEATS.  I WILL KNOW THAT EVERYONE IS PAYING ATTENTION WHEN I SEE YOU SITTING QUIETLY AT YOUR DESK WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED.  Allow a minute or two for the children to so as above.  VERY GOOD!  NOW, I’M GOING TO READ YOU FROM THE BOOK SHANGHAI KNIGHTS AND I WANT YOU TO IMAGINE THAT YOU ARE THERE.  LISTEN CAREFULLY…Beginning reading from the first paragraph on page two to the end of the third paragraph on page three.  Focus on descriptive words by emphasizing pauses and exaggerating the adjectives, or descriptive words.  WHAT DID YOU SEE?  Several students will share their thoughts.  WHO CAN TELL ME,  WHAT YOU PICTURED IN YOU MIND AND WHAT THE PALACE LOOKED LIKED?  Wait for response.  WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER?  HOT OR COLD?  WHAT LET YOU KNOW THAT IT WAS COLD?  HOW OLD IS THE GIRL?  CAN SOMEONE DESCRIBE HER?  VERY GOOD!  WHAT YOU JUST DID IS CALLED VISUALIZATION AND IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT TOOL IN READING.

2.  NOW, I WANT YOU TO THINK OF A SPECIAL PLACE.  ONE THAT ONLY YOU LOVE TO GO.  WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED, I WANT YOU TO IMAGINE THAT YOU ARE THERE ON THE COUNT OF THREE.  ONE…TWO… (Snap) THREE!  WHAT’S GOING ON?  WHO IS THERE WITH YOU?  IS IT A SPECIAL OCCASION?  FEEL FREE TO SPEAK UP!  Some children will respond.  THAT’S AWESOME!  YOU GUYS DID GREAT!

3.  YOU CAN OPEN YOUR EYES.  SINCE WE JUST LEARNED THE SKILL OF VISUALIZING, NOW IT IS TIME TO TRY IT WITH YOUR OWN BOOK.  READ CHAPTER FOUR IN JUNIE B., FIRST GRADER (AT LAST).   WHEN YOU ARE DONE, DRAW A PICTURE OF WHAT YOU IMAGINED DURING YOUR READING.  UNDERNEATH THE PICTURE, WRITE TWO TO THREE SENTENCES SUMMARIZING THE ENTIRE CHAPTER.  REMEMBER, VISUALIZE THE EVENT…THAT MEANS SPEEDY READERS WILL BE ASKED TO READ THEIR CHAPTER AGAIN.  TAKE YOUR TIME AND IMAGINE!

Assessment:  Each child, throughout the day, will come up one at a time to show and explain their pictures and summaries.  Teacher will evaluate meeting using a criteria checklist.

References:

Paint a Picture by Julie Miller

                www.auburn.edu/rdggenie/openings/millerrl.html

Shanghai Knights by Ellen Miles, Scholastic Inc. (2003)

Junie B., First Grader (at last) by Barbara Park, Random House (2001)