Picture Walk Through reflection

During week 5, my mentor teacher Kristen did a picture walk through with a couple of reading groups in my class. The reason for this was because I have never seen it done and I haven’t been doing it. Kristen did this example with two of my middle groups. I was then given a reading to reiterate the process she had used.

It was really great to see it being used and modelled rather than just having it explained to me.  After the modelling session she talked me through what she did and why she did. I could really see the benefits of it such as building on prior knowledge to help children make connections, and saying unknown words so children are familiar with them when they come to read them.

I also found this website which goes through a Picture Walk Through step by step.

By Different Paths to Common Outcome Chapter 12, by M. Clay.

After reading this chapter it explains the process in which Kristen did in a little more detail. I think it has helped me to understand the different ways in which I can approach a ‘Picture Walk Through’:

•          Respond to illustrations and link it to other stories shared.
•          Draw on the experiences they can relate to the story.
•          Sketch the plot or structure the sequence up to the climax (leave it untouched).

A quote that found and I thought was really good (and I can apply to other curriculum areas) was: “Good book introductions explore, test out and draw on children’s knowledge”. I found this quote a stand out as I don’t do enough in my introductions to draw in the prior knowledge so using a Picture Walk Through will also help me encourage drawing on prior knowledge.

Not only did the Picture Walk Through introduce me to a new tool but it also gave me new ideas about what I should be doing during this time. I think that by using the walk through it will help me to develop my questioning skills as I ask children to explain their thinking behind an answer. It will also help me to develop:

•          Pausing for children to generate the ending ~ this is something that I don’t do, I often just race on to the next page after having a discuss but by allow the children time for the information to set in they can process the story.
•          Reflecting ~ this relates back to my questioning and having children reflect on their thinking and justify their answers.
•         Accepting partially correct responses ~ this is one of the areas I need to improve on in all areas. When children give answers that are partially correct instead of dismissing the child’s answer and giving them the answer I need to work on recognising their answer and helping them build on it.