Using Pictures to Understand What We Read

Katie Zimmerman

Synopsis

Good readers learn how to construct meaning from a text using the words and images included with the story. It has been found that it is important that teachers find effective ways to teach students how to “read” pictures. It is also important that their mental imagery skills be developed because both help with their understanding of what they are reading. Pictures help build on what the reader may already know or helps build new bridges of information. One research project found that pictures even serve as clues for readers so that they know which parts of the story are important and need to be focused on. My goal then with this unit is to help my students become better readers by using the text and images in the stories to help them understand and comprehend what they are reading.