Forum Post 4

I have used VTS predominantly in our reading and writing lesson. In first grade we often take picture walks through books ahead of time. This allows me to show students words they may not be familiar with. The pictures can usually be a great predictor for the words that need to be introduced. I can use the objects or characters in the photos to get students to predict what they story is about. It also allows us to talk about what they characters may be doing or how they may be feeling.

I have found this link that discusses how to incorporate VTS in the classroom. This could be used easily in a Social Studies lesson to get the students ideas of what we may be discussing.

https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/visual-thinking-strategies-improved-comprehension

I love the idea of picture walks. This is a skill that students in my class will do automatically and always leads to them predicting and getting excited about parts of the story even before we read it. I find that my students often remember the stories' plots in terms of pictures more readily than they remember the words. I think the connections between the illustrations and how the characters are feeling helps them to humanize the characters as well.

I love the idea of using picture walks before reading the book, that will really help engage the students and get them excited for what they are about to read. One thing that I really emphasis with my fourth graders is that looking at the pictures as we are reading can help them comprehend the story better and can also help with some unfamiliar words they may stumble across.

I also do picture walks with my students, I teach kindergarten so it is a fun way to get them engaged in the book before we start reading it!. Thanks for sharing the website, it looks helpful!

Picture walks are great, the students get to move around while encouraging them to problem solve and make predictions of what is coming next. Students learn so much better when they feel involved and make those personal connections. Confidence is key and visual learning reaches all children not just some.

I agree. Picture walks are a great way for students to put their thinking into words. It is so beneficial to a student's growth of expressive language. The group component benefits English Language Learners immensely.

This method is very helpful for my teaching.  
kadashika