Rationale:
First, we learn to read, then we read to learn. As we read, it is important to comprehend what we are reading. Once we master comprehension, we can then begin to understand the message of the text. Visualization is one technique that assists in reading comprehension. It involves imagining or picturing the text. With picturebooks, the reader doesn’t have to visualize because the picture is already created for them. This lesson will help students begin to visualize through modeling and practice as we focus on outer space. 

 

Materials:
+Colored Pencils
+Plain Paper (for visuals)
+Lined Paper (for journal entry)
+Rubric for grading
+Expository Text: Outer Space https://projects.ncsu.edu/project/lancet/third_grade/outerspace.pdf (one copy per student) 

 

Procedures:
1. Say: “Today we will be learning how to visualize the text we are reading. Visualization is a technique in which we imagine or picture what we are reading. It's like we are creating the illustrations in our head. We will practice how to do this as we read. We will focus on what we see in our minds as we read the article that can allow us to comprehend the text. Through this lesson, we will talk a lot about outer space- defining what exactly outer space is and what it’s made of. Outer space is the physical universe beyond the earth's atmosphere. Outer space includes things such as stars, the moon, and galaxies. Let’s use it in a sentence- Astronauts often visit outer space to see the moon.” 

 2. Say: “First, I will model what we are doing as we read the first paragraph.” Read the first paragraph. “From far out in space, Earth looks like a blue ball.” Continue on with the entire paragraph. “Now that I have read the first paragraph, I will draw a picture and write one sentence to help me remember what happened.” Draw Earth on the board and write a one sentence gist of the paragraph. “Earth is 25,000 miles around covered mainly by water so it looks like a blue ball with white clouds overshadowing it.” 

3. Say: “I am going to pass around a stack of paper, and I want everyone to take a sheet. Now, we will do the second paragraph together. Pair and read the second paragraph with the partner next to you. After you complete the reading, draw your picture and write one sentence about the paragraph.” Walk around and assist the children as needed through this portion of guided practice. 

4. Say: “Let’s try this individually. Remember your key details throughout our reading. Also think about what sticks out to you so that you can remember what happened during this part of the article. Read the final paragraph to yourself. Once you finish reading, draw your picture that will help you remember what it was you read. You can refer back to the text if you need to. Also, write one sentence about that paragraph next to your picture.” 

5. Walk around and check out the visuals the students created. Encourage those who degrade their artistic capabilities. Remind them that this is their work and it serves the purpose of reminding themselves what the article is all about and their personal take-aways from this particular article. 

 

Assessment: 

Say: “Now, I want each of you to complete the questions found below the article on your handout. Once you have completed that, create a journal entry to define outer space and tell three facts about outer space using just your visuals that you created.”

I will review every student’s worksheet, visuals, and journal entry. 

I will use scoring rubric:

_____Student drew pictures relevant to the article
_____Student presented a sentence regarding each paragraph
_____Student uses key details from the text within pictures
_____Student has three facts within their journal entry
_____Student completed the Outer Space assessment from the article

 

References: 

• Madeline Northrop, When I Grow Up I Wanna Visualize. https://madelinenorthrop.wixsite.com/mysite/reading-to-learn 

• Meish Goldfish, Outer Space. https://projects.ncsu.edu/project/lancet/third_grade/outerspace.pdf 

• Michael Pressley, et. al., Strategies That Improve Children’s Memory and Comprehension of Text.

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