Picture Understanding! Building Comprehension in the Primary Grades With Picture Books

Materials and Technology

Student Interactives

Printouts

Preparation

 

MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY

• Whole-class texts for modeling: Jan Brett’s The Mitten, Town Mouse Country Mouse, Armadillo Rodeo, and Gingerbread Baby
  
  
• Demonstration computer with Internet access and projector
  
  
• Student computers with Internet access
  
  
• Leveled student readers

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STUDENT INTERACTIVES

Grades   3 – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Organizing & Summarizing

Circle Plot Diagram

The Circle Plot Diagram can be used as a prewriting graphic organizer for students writing original stories with a circular plot structure as well as a postreading organizer used to explore the text structures in a book.

 

Grades   3 – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Organizing & Summarizing

Cube Creator

The interactive Cube Creator helps students identify and summarize key elements. It can be used as a prewriting or postreading activity.

 

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PRINTOUTS

• Blank copies of Plot Diagram
  
  
• Story Cube Planning Sheet
  
  
• Comprehension Checklist

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PREPARATION

1. Collect one copy of the following Jan Brett books: The Mitten, Town Mouse Country Mouse, Armadillo Rodeo, and Gingerbread Baby. (You may substitute four fictional books that match a unit of study specific to your classroom.)
   
   
2. Pre-read each book to identify the story elements you wish to highlight as you model your comprehension through think-alouds.
   
   
3. Bookmark the Story Cube and the Plot Diagram on all computers. To facilitate student work, print out copies of the Story Cube Planning Sheet and prepare and print out copies of a blank Plot Diagram.
   
   
4. Print a copy of the Comprehension Checklist for each student to assess individual work.
   
   
5. Assemble book baskets with 3–4 appropriately leveled books for each student.

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