#3868. I Wonder: Integrating reading comprehension with visual arts

4 Blocks, level: Elementary
Posted Sat Jan 6 16:56:24 PST 2007 by Y. Wylie (jwylie4904@aol.com).
W.L. Elementary, Louisville, USA
Materials Required: teacher created worksheet, pencil, shared reading material
Activity Time: 30 to 40 minutes
Concepts Taught: self monitoring strategy

Objectives
1. Students will use a self-monitoring strategy (I wonder statement) to help guide comprehension.
2. Students will use a variety of lines to illustrate their "I Wonder" statements.
3. Students will write a sentence for each "I Wonder" sketch

Connection to National Standards

National Standards for the English Language Arts
3. Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret,evaluate,andappreciate texts

National Content Standard 1: Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes
Students use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories

National Standards for the English Language Arts
Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with
different audiences for a variety of purposes.

Procedures
Explain to the students that as they read, they will be using a self-monitoring strategy.

Model the strategy by first showing students the cover of the book. Read the title, author, and illustrator. Think out loud, I wonder what this story is going to be about? Draw a picture on the worksheet, and then generate an "I Wonder" statement and explanation. Share and discuss with the students. Ask the students to sketch a picture on their worksheet, and then create an "I Wonder" statement based on what they think might happen in the story. Make sure students give an explanation for their question. (Why do you think what you think?) Discuss.

Continue using this strategy as the story is being read, stopping every couple of pages to make a sketch and generate an "I Wonder" statement.

After completion of the story, have students share and discuss what they wrote. While in discussion, have students answer their "I Wonder" statements.

Closure
Ask students; does this strategy help with comprehension? Did drawing the pictures help? Could this strategy be used in another content area like science or social studies?

Assessment:
Objective 1: Informal-group discussion
Objective 2: Formal-Sketch
Objective 3: Formal-jWritten Statement

Student worksheet:
Drawing I Wonder . . . Because. . .