Forum 4 VTS in the Classroom

In a kindergarten classroom the use of VTS helps younger students build their language skills, critical thinking, and social skills. When looking at a picture students are asked to respond to the picture which helps build their language. They share their responses with peers and that helps support their social skills. They are also asked why they think that which helps build their critical thinking skills. It is a great tool to use when reading a new book with illustrations or when learning a new concept. VTS is a great tool to use when introducing new vocabulary to English language learners. It is also a great tool to use when introducing a new piece of literature.

One website I found that describes various ways that VTS can be used in the classroom setting is www.colorincolorado.org. One example the website gives of using VTS in the classroom is during a writing lesson, called a Picture Preview. The teacher makes copies of an interesting picture, distributes it to students, and has them glue it into their writing notebook. The students are asked to write three to six sentences or questions about the picture and then share what they wrote with a peer. It helps them with not only their writing skills, but their speaking and listening skills, as well.  

I love how you use VTS to build not only their academic skills but also their language skills. As a fourth grade teacher this is something that I never really put much thought into, I also thought of incorporating VTS primarily for academics.

VTS is essential in Kindergarten! I love the idea of a Picture Preview for a writing prompt but I believe it is critical for the students to have the opportunity to share and say their sentence before attempting to write it.