Lesson 11

Visual Literacy with Picture Books – Part 1

  • Objective:
  • Understand the importance of visual literacy in picture books.
  • Identify and analyse different text features in picture books, including illustrations such as spot images, half pages etc (PPT resource)
  • Develop critical thinking skills through visual analysis.
  • Make connections between visual elements and the story’s meaning.
  • Resources:
  • Time: 60 min
  • Introduction (10 mins):
    • Begin the lesson by discussing the importance of visual literacy in picture books. Explain how illustrations enhance the reading experience and contribute to understanding the story.
    • Share examples of picture books with visually stunning illustrations to capture students’ attention and emphasise the impact of visuals on storytelling.
    • Discuss the concept of visual literacy and its role in developing critical thinking skills and enhancing comprehension.
  • Exploring Text Features with Visual (40 min):
    • Introduce different text features in picture books, illustrations as single spread, double spread, Line, style, medium, and other details.  focusing on allegory, angles, body language, and gaze.   (SEE PPT)
    • Use the provided examples from the blog post or select other relevant picture books to illustrate each feature. (Allegory: Picture Book. For example:  A Lone Star. A concise reflective metaphor about a poor little star. However, it can be a metaphor for a child: https://storyweaver.org.in/stories/180622-a-lone-star?mode=read
    • Thunder Storm can be an allegory to life, https://storyweaver.org.in/stories/15875-a-thunderstorm 
    • Divide the class into small groups and distribute picture books among the groups.
    • In their groups, ask students to examine the illustrations in their picture books and identify examples of allegory, angles, body language, and gaze. Encourage them to discuss and analyse the visual cues and their potential meanings. (SEE PPT)
    • Have each group share their findings with the class. Use chart paper to create a visual representation of the text features and their interpretations.
  • Closure of Lesson (10 min):
    • Summarise the key points discussed during the lesson, highlighting the importance of visual literacy in picture books and its impact on comprehension and critical thinking.
    • Reinforce the connection between visual elements and the story’s meaning, encouraging students to explore deeper layers of interpretation.
    • Provide an opportunity for students to ask questions or share their thoughts and reflections on the lesson.
  • Tips:
    • Select picture books with diverse illustrations to cater to the varied interests and backgrounds of students.
    • Encourage students to support their observations with evidence from the illustrations.
    • Incorporate hands-on activities, such as creating illustrations or analysing excerpts from different picture books, to enhance engagement and understanding.
    • For more information, check out this blog post

Note: The examples provided in the lesson plan are based on the given text. However, you can modify or replace them with suitable picture books or examples that align with your classroom resources and students’ interests.