When students learn to read, they often focus on letters to sound out words. However, words are not the only aspect to focus on when reading. Honestly, the first step to reading involves looking at illustrations. Before students know any letters, they can explain the story simply by looking at the incredible pictures. Thus, including ways to teach students the importance of illustrations in a story while lesson planning is essential! Since it is Women’s History Month, now is the perfect time to focus on talented black illustrators.
Wonderful Illustrators
Thankfully, there are so many incredible illustrators. For instance, Oge Mora, Laura Freeman, Ebony Glenn, and Vanessa Brantley-Newton are some of my favorites. These fantastic illustrators create beautiful pages that focus on diversity, perseverance, and positivity.
Illustration Strategies
Every child learns to read at a different age. Additionally, some enjoy learning to read while others strongly dislike it. Thankfully, when focusing on how to teach students the importance of illustrations in a story, there are multiple strategies!
- Illustrations Help Comprehend Text
While authors write the words on a page, illustrators create the pictures to go with them. Thus, the illustrations greatly help students comprehend text. This means that before students can even read the words on the page, they can still tell the story. While the words may be different, the meaning can be similar. Additionally, illustrations help students gain a deeper understanding. For instance, they show the color and size of items to bring in perspective. Ultimately, illustrations help bring a story alive!
- Importance of Reading Illustrated Literature
Illustrated literature is vital for all ages. When looking at the illustrations, listeners can better understand what they hear. Students can analyze the story, draw inferences, and make predictions when this happens. Honestly, illustrated literature helps listeners of all ages genuinely comprehend various stories.
- Teaching Visualization
When students learn new skills, they need practice, time, and patience. The same is valid with visualization. Many times, students do not know how to visualize what they are reading. Therefore, they need practice and instruction. For instance, they need to practice closing their eyes and bringing images to their mind as they hear words. Then, as time progresses, visualization will naturally occur when listening to or reading a story. Thankfully, students will see how illustrations help with close reading, summary, character growth, vocabulary, and predictions.
- Picture Walks to Help Build Background Knowledge
Picture walks are an incredible way to prepare a child for reading a story. By understanding who is in the story and where it takes place, students are beginning to predict what will happen. Furthermore, this time allows children to activate prior knowledge and connect to the story. While doing this, children can even spend time learning new vocabulary.
Learning how to teach students the importance of illustrations in a story will be time well spent. By examining different strategies, children will learn many skills needed when listening to or reading a story. Ultimately, using the methods above will help children see how important illustrations are to a story.
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