Wordless Books… (Cassady)
WORDLESS PICTURE BOOKS ARE NOT JUST FOR KINDERGARTNERS! I feel that many people do not realize the value of picture books and wordless picture books to students after they can read. However, they can be used to help simplify a difficult concept, spur on creativity and engage students of all ages. Wordless picture books can also be used as a motivator for struggling readers. When they ‘read’ the book they will begin to see that they can read too. Wordless picture books can also be used to motivate reluctant writers and ESL students. The wordless picture books allow each reader to make the story their own; having students record their version of the book can get even the most reluctant writer to write. After all isn’t that our goal, to get kids to write?
Story Development:Using Wordless Pictures Books (Reese):
To begin with Reese had the class write the story for a wordless picture book, they shared it with others and edited it, then they did the same process with pairs and finally on their own. I think that having student write in pairs, share their story and revise them will really help develop writers. Writing the story for a wordless picture book helped students learn to sequence events and to add detail to their stories as well as the basic mechanics for writing.
Graphic Novels for (Really) Young Readers (Lyga):
Graphic novels require the reader to do more “brain work” than reading traditional books. When you read a wordless graphic novel you play a part in developing the story. The article makes a valid point about using graphic novels- when you select the novel you must read through it for both appropriate plot and pictures. There are great graphic novels out there for elementary students but be careful when selecting them.
In addition to reading graphic novels, students can write captions for a graphic novel, and write/illustrate their own graphic novel.
I never realized the impact that wordless picture books could have. I Think they would really help struggling readers but I like the concept of getting them to help children to write even more. I think sometimes we get so caught up in the standard course of study we forget to do what is the most beneficial for the kids.
I fully agree that wordless picture books are not just for kindergarten students! I’ve always known that, but after reading Reese’s article I feel more comfortable with helping my struggling readers use them in the classroom. I love that wordless picture books can be used as a writing tool in the classroom when there are no words in the book!
(This is unrelated to the post, but I would like to thank you for your contributions to our class! Your ideas and opinions were helpful in learning how to become an effective teacher of reading and writing!)
I agree with your thoughts on wordless picture books…they can be used throughout ALL grades, just in different capacities. I think most (if not all) of the activities we learned in this class can be translated to strategies in any grade.