April 03, 2006
Using Wordless Books
Much of the concern about reading progress is related to the lack of comprehension skills. If we are to have a nation of students reading on-grade-level, attention needs to be focused on the development of comprehension skills. Developing previewing and predicting skills helps students construct a tentative meaning about a text and will enhance comprehension skills.
A safe, risk-free way to begin helping children "construct their tentative meaning" is by using wordless books. By using a wordless book, all student responses are accepted and there is no right or wrong response. There are many wordless books that can be used in these activities, but a favorite is the Little Celebration book, The Pumpkin (ISBN: 0-673-57663-9 for 6-pack). This is a photo essay about growing a pumpkin from a small seed.
Set the stage by encouraging students to look at one page at a time—without saying a word. Allow several seconds to absorb the meaning. Slowly turn each page, always allowing time for students to "read" the page or make meaning. When all pages have been "read," ask students to share their stories. There will be a variety of stories retold. Some will be narrative texts, simply telling the story of the pumpkin based on personal experiences. Others will be process analysis, describing the step-by-step process for growing a pumpkin. Still others may represent a creative, fictional story. Some will be personal and others will be informational. But, ALL will be correct.
This activity provides great insight into background knowledge, creativity, vocabulary, and beginning comprehension skills. Some students may still view each photo as an individual scene and others will see the inter-relatedness of each of the photographs. It is important to demonstrate for students that there are many points of view when reading a book. By previewing and predicting, it helps create a schema for understanding the book.
Looking for more wordless books?
Try these Little Celebration titles:
Car Trip 6-pack
ISBN: 0-673-57615-9
Follow the String
6-pack ISBN: 0-673-57617-5
Noggin and Bobbin in the Snow
6-pack ISBN: 0-673-57661-2
Oops!
6-pack ISBN: 0-673-57662-0
The Mitten
6-pack ISBN: 0-673-57659-0
Posted by Melody at 05:25 PM | Comments (0)