LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Reading illustrations

http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/content/2284/

A lesson plan for grades K–1 Visual Arts Education and English Language Arts

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In this ARTSEDGE lesson, students explore how illustrations contribute to the telling of a story.

Students will:

  • create illustrations to accompany text.
  • “read” a variety of illustrations for information.
  • convey elements of a story such as character, setting, and plot through illustration;
  • identify techniques and/or symbols used by illustrators to convey information;
  • critique their own illustrations; and
  • participate in a variety of independent literacy-building activities.

ARTSEDGE provides detailed instructions for completing the lesson, a supply list, suggestions for assessment and extension activities, and a link to a helpful assessment rubric.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Kindergarten

  • Goal 1: The learner will develop and apply enabling strategies to read and write.
    • Objective 1.04: Read or begin to read.
      • Read or attempt to read own dictated story.
      • Attempt to read/reads simple patterned text, decodable text, and/or predictable texts using letter-sound knowledge and pictures to construct meaning.
  • Goal 2: The learner will develop and apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.02: Demonstrate familiarity with a variety of types of books and selections (e.g., picture books, caption books, short informational texts, nursery rhymes, word plays/finger plays, puppet plays, reenactments of familiar stories).
  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.04: Use speaking and listening skills and media to connect experiences and text
      • listening to and re-visiting stories
      • discussing, illustrating, and dramatizing stories
      • discovering relationships.

Visual Arts Education (2001)

Grade 1

  • Goal 1: The learner will develop critical and creative thinking skills and perceptual awareness necessary for understanding and producing art.
    • Objective 1.03: Develop fluency in use of symbols for visual expression.
    • Objective 1.04: Discuss and examine familiar objects and literature to inspire imagery.
  • Goal 7: The learner will perceive connections between visual arts and other disciplines.
    • Objective 7.01: Uses reading, writing and math in the creation of art.

Kindergarten

  • Goal 1: The learner will develop critical and creative thinking skills and perceptual awareness necessary for understanding and producing art.
  • Goal 5: The learner will understand the visual arts in relation to history and cultures.
    • Objective 5.05: Recognize that human beings create art to tell a story about their ideas and lives without words.