Power of Pictures Evaluation Year 2 Sue Horner Janet White
What we are looking at • Teachers’ understanding of the craft of picture books • Teachers’ own creative skills • Impact on teachers’ approaches to picture books • Impact on pupils’ attitudes and their writing • Impact on authors and their development
Sources of evidence • Observation of each course • Teachers filled in evaluations at the end of each day and 2 months later • Teachers reported on their teaching between the 2 days and provided examples of children’s writing • Author interviews and feedback • Review of books and CLPE teaching sequences
Teachers’ key learning - 1 Reading pictures and words how to read picture books, including interpreting the pictures how to explore picture books in the classroom
Teachers’ key learning - 2 Writing and talking • the role of drawing and other techniques in helping children develop ideas • how giving time to discussion before writing means children have something to say and the vocabulary to say it
Techniques • Modelling drawing • Starting with character • Diorama, collage, gallery walk • Role play, thought tracking, hot seating • Discussing pictures/photographs • Practical bookmaking • Response partners for planning
Teachers’ key learning - 3 Picture books are a rich resource • picture books are for all ages, not just for younger or less able readers • spending time with picture books develops inference and critical thinking
Some implications - 1 Marking of children’s writing needs to change • the point of story writing is to create imaginative characters, plots, situations and to communicate marking needs to respond to this
Some implications - 2 Teaching writing using picture books • picture books are good for learning about structure in narratives • exploring the different links between pictures and words • developing children’s independence in using the techniques
What the authors thought • they rethought views of their readers – children, parents, teachers • they were surprised that their books could be the focus of several sessions of work • the work influenced their writing plans, including inspiring new books • they changed their views of visits to schools from writer-as-entertainer to writer-as-educator, collaborating with teachers
Overall Picture books offer powerful new learning for teachers and children • Teachers were very enthusiastic about what they learned • All reported the positive impact of the new classroom techniques • Significant actions back in school – involving colleagues, parent workshops, interest in author visits
Support from CLPE Leading teachers’ thinking and classroom practice • An inspiring course • Teaching sequences for all age groups • Extensive web resources For long term impact
Recommend
More recommend
