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Heeru Bhojwani
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Readaloud

Jun 17 2023

Visual Literacy with Picture Books – Part 2

By Readaloud No Comments

Empowering Students to Become Proficient Designers: Unleashing Creativity using picture books 

 As literacy champions, librarians foster a love for reading through storytelling. Read-aloud sessions have been an integral part of library classes; therefore, using components of visual literacy can take these sessions to new heights, captivating young minds and expanding their understanding of the written word.

Simply put, visual literacy is the ability to interpret, analyse, and create visual images. It encompasses a range of skills:  including observing, questioning, and making connections between visual elements. By incorporating visual literacy techniques into read-aloud sessions, librarians can engage children on multiple sensory levels and promote a deeper understanding and appreciation for the stories they encounter. Using these visual literacy strategies can help students become skilled creators of art and images across various media to create posters, presentations, websites,  films or any products that involve designing and media.

Visual literacy strategies for Picture Books

Composition and Context

Composition in visual literacy refers to the deliberate arrangement and placement of elements within an image. Through thoughtful composition, artists, and photographers guide the viewer’s attention, convey emotions, and communicate messages effectively.

When reading aloud, librarians can ask questions like :

  1. Describe the surrounding on the illustrations on this page. What is omitted? 
  2. What objects are visible in this image? What is missing? 
  3. How does the clothing of the character tell you about the character? 
  4. How do the placement and arrangement of things in a picture make you feel? Does it make you look at something specific?
  5. Can you find a picture where the way things are placed and arranged helps tell a story or show a message? What do you think the artist is trying to tell us?
  6. Why do you think artists and photographers must think carefully about arranging things in a picture?

All these aspects form the illustration’s composition to create a meaningful and cohesive visual narrative.

Context also refers to the cultural, historical, social, situational, and personal circumstances to which a text is composed and responded.

Colour, Hue, and Tone

Artists use colour to design picture book illustrations to evoke specific emotions, convey moods, and enhance storytelling. Colours have symbolic meanings and can evoke different responses. For instance, red may represent passion, anger, or vitality, while blue can signify peace, harmony, or coldness.

Teaching students to read illustrations through colours, help develop observational skills and analytical thinking as they interpret the emotional impact and symbolic associations of different colour choices.

In black-and-white images, artists often rely on contrast, light, and darkness to create visual interest and convey depth and mood. In black & white images,  we can examine the use of contrast, light, and darkness.

Questions to ask students:

  1. How do the colors used in the pictures make you feel? Do they make the story seem happy, sad, or something else?
  2. Can you think of a picture book where the color red was used? What emotions or feelings do you think the color red represents in that book?
  3. When you see a black-and-white picture, how can the artist make it interesting without using any colors?
  4. How can colors in a picture help us understand how a character is feeling or what they are like?
  5. Can you find a picture book where the color blue is used? What do you think the color blue means in that book?
  6. How does looking at the colors in a picture help you understand the story better?

Text Style

Consider the font, colour, size and placement used in the text. The use of fonts in a picture book plays a crucial role in conveying the book’s tone, mood, and overall visual aesthetic. Different font choices can evoke emotions and help define the characters, settings, and narrative style. For example, a playful and whimsical story may be complemented by a rounded and playful font, while a mysterious or spooky tale may feature jagged or ornate fonts. The text’s size, spacing, and formatting can impact readability and guide the reader’s eye across the page. The careful selection and placement of fonts contribute to the overall visual storytelling experience and enhance the reader’s engagement with the picture book. Use the image to check out these questions.

Questions to try with students are:

  1. How does the font style and size used in the text make you feel about the story? Does it match the mood or theme of the book?
  2. Can you find a picture book where the text is written in a playful or whimsical font?
  3. Why do you think the author or illustrator chose a specific font for the text? Does it help you understand the characters or setting better?
  4. How does the size of the text affect your reading experience? Does it make it easier or harder to read?
  5. Why do you think the author or illustrator made that choice?
  6. How does the color of the text impact your understanding and enjoyment of the story? Does it evoke certain emotions or make certain words stand out more?

Texture: 

Texture in illustrations for picture books refers to the visual representation of tactile qualities, creating a sense of touch or surface characteristics. It adds depth, dimension, and richness to the images, enhancing the overall sensory experience for the reader. Using texture, artists can evoke emotions, differentiate elements, and create a more immersive storytelling experience.

Questions to ask children when analyzing picture books related to texture:

  1. How does the texture in this illustration make you feel? Does it make you think of something specific?
  2. Can you describe the texture you see in this picture? Does it appear rough, smooth, bumpy, or something else?
  3. How does the use of texture contribute to the overall mood or atmosphere of the story?
  4. Does it help you imagine what it might feel like to touch the objects or characters in the illustration?

Visual literacy helps children look at pictures carefully, enhancing their observation skills, understanding visual communication, and fostering creative expression.

Resources to download:

                   

            

Jun 01 2023

Visual Literacy with Picture Books – Part 1

By Readaloud, Visual Literacy One Comment

In the world of literature, picture books hold a special place. Combining narratives with visually stunning illustrations. These images have the power to ignite imagination and instill a love for reading in young minds.

The joy of reading is complete when the wealth of information is married to visuals. This is based on the Constructivism approach, where the students construct new understanding when reading a story. When students read, they are engaged in understanding the story through text, and then analyzing visuals becomes a part of their new knowledge through keen observation and inferences.

Visual Literacy Is Analytical Thinking

Reading visuals, or analysing illustrations, is a valuable skill that goes hand in hand with reading comprehension. Just as we dissect the words on a page to uncover deeper meanings, exploring the visual elements of a picture book opens up a world of possibilities for critical thinking, collaboration, and attention to detail.

Visual literacy, the ability to interpret and make meaning from images, is a fundamental skill in today’s increasingly visual society. By engaging with the visual aspects of picture books, students enhance their understanding of the story and develop essential skills that can be applied across various disciplines.

Benefits of Visual Thinking
When we delve into the techniques of analyzing visual texts, we empower our students
– To think critically
– Ask questions beyond what meets the eye
– Sharing ideas and discussing the images leads to collaboration
– Keen observation
– Analytical thinking
– Learning how to create visuals

Here is a list of different strategies to help you teach and learn about visuals in picture books.

Different strategies to analyze visuals are identifying allegory, angles, body language, composition, colour, hue, and tone.
Using these strategies, librarians provide students with the tools to unlock the hidden layers of meaning in the illustrations they encounter.

1 Allegory in visual literacy

Fig 1

Allegory is a powerful storytelling technique where a story or visual image contains a hidden or symbolic meaning beyond its literal meaning. Allegory sometimes uses personification, giving humans shape to abstract concepts, and can be seen as an extended metaphor. Picture books are rich with examples of allegorical illustrations. For instance, a tree that represents growth and wisdom or a mirror reflecting self-discovery and identity. These visual cues give readers additional layers of meaning and invite them to engage in critical thinking. Allegory invites readers to explore the realms of imagination and symbolism, adding richness and complexity to their reading experience for older students.
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

2. Angles a visual strategy

Fig 2. Image Credit: @Niloufer

Angle is the second technique in analyzing visual texts; different angles play an important role in conveying a specific point of view. Angles are carefully chosen by illustrators to shape the viewer’s perception and evoke particular emotions or reactions. For example, low-angle shots, where the camera is positioned below the subject and looks upwards, create a sense of power and dominance. This angle makes the subject appear larger and more imposing, emphasizing their authority or strength.

Fig 3

On the other hand, eye-level positioning establishes a sense of equality and connection between the viewer and the subject. It allows readers to identify with the characters, immersing themselves in the story and fostering empathy. Picture book illustrations utilize angles to create meaning. This is a high-angle image that may give the symbol of courage and power.

By recognizing and analyzing the effects of different angles in picture books, readers develop a critical eye for visual storytelling. They become attuned to the intentional choices made by illustrators and gain a deeper appreciation for the impact of perspective in shaping meaning and interpretation.

Example: The angle in Fig 3 picture above indicates the power between the mother and the child and yet the closeness unlike Fig. 1

The second picture in Fig 3 indicates the closeness of the two characters as well as symbolizing an equal relationship; the positioning gives a sense of equality and connection of the two women.

Fig 4

The illustrator uses the low-angle shot/view in Fig 4. It gives the reader a glimpse into the cooked food (Poha).

3. Body Language and Gaze are other visual techniques:

Fig 5

When analyzing visual texts, paying attention to body language and gaze in picture book illustrations provides valuable insights into characters’ attitudes, emotions, and the overall narrative. Facial expressions, gestures, and body positions serve as powerful cues that reveal characters’ inner thoughts and feelings. A wide smile might convey happiness, while a furrowed brow could indicate worry or confusion. Open arms might signify welcome and warmth, while crossed arms may suggest defensiveness. By closely observing these subtle details, readers can better understand the characters’ personalities and motivations. Equally important is the direction of the character’s gaze. Where characters are looking can convey their focus, interests, and relationships. A character looking directly at another might indicate engagement or connection, while averted eyes could imply shyness or guilt. The characters’ gaze toward particular objects or elements in the illustration can also provide clues about essential plot points or themes.

Observe the gaze of the people audience on the main character. It is full of fear, some filled with awe and others with laughter. What might that tell you about the main character, or what might that tell you about the audience in the picture?

Fig 6

In the title of the picture book Kesar and the Lullaby Birds Fig 6, ask students to look at the characters’ gaze. Where is the mother’s gaze? What is she feeling? What is her mood? Where is the man’s gaze? Where is the child’s gaze? Tell me something about the character’s personality. (The father’s gaze is endearing, yet he has a questioning expression while looking at the baby. Mother seems tired and ready to go to bed. Her relationship shows warmth and an open, loving relationship in the family. The little child’s gaze is towards the father with a questioning look)

Visual analysis is taught in middle and high school; learning to analyze visuals with younger students helps students think deeply and learn to look for elements beyond the surface level.

More resources on this LINK

Jan 19 2021

Socrative Style of Questions

By General, Librarian's Role, Readaloud 6 Comments

Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel —Socrates.

Much research has shown the benefits of reading, and despite the rich evidence, librarians are struggling to support reading habits. However, reading habits are not the sole responsibility of the librarian but the entire education system and the parents. When students see adults reading, thinking, and questioning, students will imitate and follow along. Reading breeds Reading.

One of the critical aspects of building a reading habit is developing curiosity and interest – this will then lead to the joy of reading. Here is another post that was written for Raise the Bar on critical thinking with picture books.

How to read aloud?

I’ve noticed that when librarians or teachers read aloud picture books to children, the questions that they ask are simplistic and obvious, thus not challenging children to think and question. Children need to begin thinking and asking questions right from an early age. As librarians, when we read aloud, we can change the way we ask questions and pave the way for discussions.

For example, before we read aloud stories or after we have read a story we often ask –

  • Who is the author?
  • What is the title of the story?
  • What did you learn from the story?
  • What is the plot?
  • What is the setting or where is the story taking place?

Instead, we should learn the art of Socrative type of questioning or simply as we know it as Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) on the top of Bloom’s Taxonomy.

What is Socrative style or type of questioning?

Socrates was a Greek philosopher, and he said – Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel. If we have to kindle the flame then it is essential to create a library space where there is a dialogue between the students and librarians. There is little or no space for lectures and therefore, no rote learning.

The teacher-librarian can be the one who initiates the questioning process – helps the students to think/ponder and brings out their values and beliefs in the process of discussion. Therefore, building a safe intellectual space for their independent thoughts and opinions.

Types of Socratic Questions?

There are several types of Socrative style of questions, here are three.

1. Clarification Questions

Questions in this Socrative style sound like this:

  • What do you mean by…?
  • The author has said it this way…. how would you explain it another way?
  • What is the main problem here – Can you explain it with another example?
  • Why is this important?
  • Is this easy or hard?
  • Why do you think so?

For example, when you read the book called No Smiles Today by Cheryl Rao illustrated by Saurab Pandey (Story Weaver – Pratham Books) (A story about a little child who is sad and her friends try to guess why she is sad and eventually finding her lost pet which makes her happy again.)
Socrative questions to ask when reading this book would be-

  • What is sadness?
  • Why do people feel sad?
  • The author talks about the child losing her pet and feeling sad – What are other reasons for sadness?
  • How do you overcome sadness?
  • Is it easy to overcome sadness? Why?

2. Questions about an Issue?

When one reads aloud a picture book with a global issue or problems in society, questions in Socrative-style may sound like this:

  • Why is this an important topic to discuss?
  • Is it easy or difficult to solve this issue? Why?
  • What assumptions can you make about the issue or subject?
  • Does this topic/problem lead to other problems and questions?

Use the above questions for this picture book when reading a book like Riddle of the Riddleys  (A story about thousands of olive ridley sea turtles on the beach of Orissa, who die each year due to the callousness of fishermen and people.) or any other book related to issues

Another example, if you are reading a picture book like The Why-Why Girl by Mahasweta Devi illustrated by Kanyika Kini (a story about Moyna who can’t go to school because she is a girl and because of her socio-economic conditions). When reading this book, you may ask questions like –

  • What is the issue in the story, and why is it essential to discuss this topic about gender discrimination?
  • Why is education opportunities not available for all?
  • What are the conditions that lead to inequality of education for all?
  • Is it easy to solve this problem? Why? Why not?
  • What might be different ways to address this issue?
  • What can we do at different levels to address this problem?

Similar questions can be asked of a novel. For example, Rippler by Cidney Swanson free on Bookbub is a fantasy novel dealing with a genetic disorder and inhuman experiments during the Nazi rule. Questions about scientific experiments, human body and genetic disorders can be explored, some questions may include:

  • What are the different conditions maintained in the laboratory for scientists in India when conducting experiments on animals?
  • How human or inhuman is testing on animals? Why? What do you think?
  • What other topics are related to genetic engineering?
  • If we assume genetic engineering is ok for plants, how can we justify genetic engineering in animals and humans? What are your reasons?
  • Can genetic engineering lead to other problems and issues? Can you explain it?
  • Questions like the above can open children’s minds and promote thinking, creating interest, curiosity, and reading?

3. Viewpoint Questions

Socrates style of questioning includes learning about different perspectives and opinions. When you learn about other perspectives it builds humility, kindness and empathy. Understanding viewpoints is not to argue and to prove a point, but understanding that others have a viewpoint and it must be equally respected. Each individual has the freedom to think and be responsible. Keeping this concept in mind, different viewpoint discussions can be held during the library class. Before discussions, the librarians must ensure that each individual’s point must be heard, is important and is respectfully conveyed.

Questions to consider are:

  • How would other people in other sections of the community feel/think about this? Why?
  • Why do you object to this consideration? What facts have you gathered to prove this viewpoint?
  • What is an alternative to bring further acceptance or rejection?

Another example to try is this book called, Father’s Inheritance by Elizabeth Laird (Storyweaver – Pratham Books- level 3)

Socrative style or approach of questioning helps students and adults become thinkers. We learn to conduct meaningful conversations. This disciplined approach teaches us to examine ideas and processes with logic and create a practical exploration of content leading to knowledge.

Students and adults may not have answers to any of the questions but it can lead to enquiry, curiosity, interest and reading to investigate their questions and sharing of new knowledge. Asking questions in the right spirit of curiosity and learning leads to success. If you google – Socrative-style of questions you will find lots of resources or check this out.

Warren Berger, a journalist in his book, The Book of Beautiful Questions, say, “You don’t learn unless you question.”

Dec 20 2019

What should I be Reading to Children in January 2020

By Indian Literature, Librarian's Role, Literacy, Readaloud, Reading Program 2 Comments

Reading Stories & Information

How can you build a growth mindset with Reading? How can you help build knowledge, perspective and develop the habit of good reading for children? it is when adults model and read the right text, at the right time through open discussions. So what do we do?

India is blessed with a variety of religion, culture and language. It is a celebration all year round. You and I can take this opportunity to invite our students to learn about the festivals and purpose behind the holidays.

 Most importantly look for a common thread, a theme that overlaps one another.  A common theme will bring unity, understanding and respect that we owe to all human beings. It will lift us from a basic description of festivals to thinking about the cause, impact and importance of the festival.

What should I read to my students/children in January or the Winter months in India?  What can librarians and teachers read to students?

Reading For Young Children:

  1. New Year Celebrations is often recognized by students as the beginning year with promises and resolutions. This book The Hundred and Thirty-Seventh Leg by Pratham will help invite students to think about kindness, care and make decisions to begin a year with empathy. Children can either discuss, share or write on index cards -about their resolution and stick it on the resolution tree on the bulletin board.
  2. This Book Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi, Sindhi & Other F…by Vyanst, Gurivi G shares why and how different festivals are celebrated. And this one can be used to think of the similarities, and the differences among the festivals Lohri, Pongal and Makar Sankranti – each of them related to harvest time. The compare and contrast reflection sheets help in teaching students to evaluate works about similar topics offer positions of differences within the subject – while developing a theme.

Reading about Important dates in January 2020

Reading & Question

Time and Date tells us the events in India

Jan 1Wednesday New Year’s Day Restricted Holiday

Jan 2Thursday Guru Govind Singh Jayanti Restricted Holiday

Jan 14Tuesday Lohri Restricted Holiday

Jan 15Wednesday Pongal Restricted Holiday

Jan 15Wednesday Makar Sankranti Restricted Holiday

Jan 25Saturday Chinese New Year Observance

Jan 26Sunday Republic Day Gazetted HolidayJan 29Wednesday 

Jan 29 Wednesday  Vasant Panchami Restricted Holiday

Reading and Discussions with Older Students in January 2020

Reading, Thinking & Analyzing

Republic Day 

Instead of colouring the flag, asking students, what happens on Republic Day, who was the first president, as educators we need to ask open-ended and higher-order thinking questions that can promote thinking and analyses. It is a challenging process for teachers to deal with controversial topics, if we do not do take the responsibility, then who will?

  1. Researching on what it means for India to be a Republic?
  2. How is India’s Republic Status different from other countries Republic Status?
  3. Does it mean the same for all the countries – Explain?
  4. How is the  CAB bill (Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019) an extension of the Republic? Why is it a pressing bill?
  5. How can we ensure that CAB and National Register of Citizens bills are well understood?

Media Literacy with Reading

Teaching when done at the right time, becomes the Aha Moment! that we look for – Relevant and Timely. This is the time to introduce Media Literacy and look into biases and perspectives of different people by asking these questions? 

  • Who wrote or created the video, app, meme?
  • Does the author have credible credentials to back the information?
  • Why was it created?
  • Does the information match with other websites?
  • Are these different points of view?

If the article or media creates a strong emotive (positive or negative) reaction, we must remember to hold off and not jump to conclusions. Unless we read extensively about different perspectives and then draw informed decisions based on personal knowledge. We need to remember to hold off before spreading and passing on the information, especially if it is biased and/or has only one point of view. 

Responsible Digital Citizen & Reading

The internet has allowed everyone to share their voice and opinions. But, that doesn’t mean, everyone who shares on the internet is well informed when making opinions. It is crucial to learn how to be a responsible digital citizen. While discussing controversial topics, it is important for the teacher, to provide newspaper cuttings, articles from different sources to build on information, analyze, think and clarify. 

New Year Reading Topic for Older Students

Older students can also look up the history of ‘New Year Celebrations’ – What it means to different people in different religions and countries. 

  • How can we be respectful and celebratory of all religions? The Bahaii, Islam, Hindu, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, Christians all have different days for their New Year.

    Read & Discuss with a Heart!

  • What can we do as a nation to build solidarity, empathy and dignity of all? 

What is a Discussion?

A good rule for analysis or discussion needs to be based on hard facts and a soft voice. A discussion should be an attempt to explore and understand the subject from all points of view and not a clash of who is right or wrong.

Discussion is not a debate – no one is right or wrong. It is an attempt to emphatically listen to each other. The teachers’ job here is that of a facilitator, not taking sides, recognize and encourage fact-based discussion with an emphasis on the origin of the information.  (Where did the information come from and what makes you stand by that information – is it based on facts or opinions) Ensure that we build a community of learners with a heart.

Teachers as Reading Facilitators

Open discussions and respect of varied opinions are a part of a matured mind and elevated intellect. 

Having robust discussions about politics, religion are challenging but not impossible. An excellent reminder to the teachers and students would be to remember, we all are humans, we all have rights and responsibility, and it is necessary to adopt and include all members of the human society while each one performing their responsibilities. 

 

Jan 18 2019

Reading Logs and DEAR

By Book Talk, General, Literacy, Readaloud, Reading and Writing, Reading Program, School Libraries No Comments

What is a Reading Log?

Are they useful? Do you think reading logs can help readers be accountable for what they are reading and how much they are reading?

Adding time and page numbers to the reading log – Will that accurately tell how much students are reading, why they are reading and what they have accomplished from their reading? Do we as adults follow it?

Reading logs are now being replaced by reading responses, that is nudging students to be analytical thinkers by carefully analyzing the structure and word choice of text while reading. An interesting article Goodbye Reading logs from Scholastic shows you how you can help build readers during your library classes with your students.

What is Dear?

DEAR – Drop everything and read is another opportunity provided for students to stop and read. Language class teachers often use this strategy to support learning in class. Librarians can also use DEAR for 10 minutes of their class and have students read with meaning, you may use graphic organizers to compare settings, characters or even the genre of the books or magazine that they are reading.

Other reading responses could be:

  1. Analyze the character in the book with someone you know or compare the character with your sibling?
  2. What is the author’s purpose, and how do you know that?
  3. If it’s a nonfiction book – compare and contrast.
  4. What are the facts and opinions in the passages, and explain them with pieces of evidence?
  5. What are the problems that you infer in the passage/story? What makes you say so?
  6. Identify the character’s point of view? Compare them with your views. (You can use emotions too)
  7. What current events come to your mind, while you are reading this passage?
  8. What connections can you make with history or modern-day technology?
  9. What inferences can you make about the passages you are reading?
  10. Identify some of the sensory words and create a poem with those words?
  11. Write five words or phrases that might summarize what you have read.
  12. Explain your reading with a metaphor or a meme.

Of course, teacher librarians will need to model the responses and demonstrate with an example so that students too can closely read with deeper comprehension.

Nov 23 2018

Reading Aloud 3 -Visualization

By General, Readaloud, Reading and Writing, Visualization No Comments

How to connect with children so that their learning is deep and impactful?  Developing love for reading is the essential ingredient for success. Especially in this age and time, you can teach yourself any skill or any new knowledge. As educators, we know that reading aloud is critical but what and how do we read-aloud?

Using visualization as a reading strategy is essential. According to Reading Rockets: Good readers construct mental images as they read a text.

What is Visualization: It is a reading comprehension strategy. It allows the reader to imagine and have a picture in their mind. Visualisation helps the reader understand what the character in the story is doing, thinking or feeling and it helps you visualize the detailed description of the setting.

How do you ask children to visualise?  You prompt them with these cues: Visualization Cues you can use are: I see …… on the page… It makes me think that…; I imagine ….. I know this because …; I wonder…, I visualise…. because I see …… (You can create an anchor chart with these prompts)

Visualization helps transform students from passive to active readers, improving their reading comprehension while connecting their mental images with their prior knowledge making learning deep.

Why is visualisation important? Visualisation helps students and adults become:

  • Analytical readers and thinkers
  • Better communicators
  • Scriptwriters
  • Prepares them for the media business
  • Marketing business
  • Strategic Analysis business opportunities

Visualisation techniques have helped many successful people achieve their dreams because they have been able to practise their goals, achievements and outcomes through systematic visualisation and confidence.

Building imagery can be visual, it appeals to the sense of sight and plays the most significant role in the description in literature.

Auditory visualisation and imagery describe specific sounds that are happening within the story and can connect with one’s own experiences.

Olfactory imagery: Can describes a particular scent and lead to impactful learning especially when the reader connects the text with their personal experiences. Visualisation leads to better writers.

Some titles you can use to practice and visualize with your students are:

A Walk with Thambi by Lavanya Karthik

Mala’s Silver Anklets by Annie Besant

Rooster Raga by Natasha Sharma

Raz Plus: has over 5,000 eBooks and printed books to help you teach all forms of reading strategies that build successful readers.

The Queen Ant’s Birthday by Alleysey Sweeney

Owen and the Tortoise by Katie Knight

Pond Life by Susan Hartley

Imagine the Beach by Racheal Rice

Fishing in the Rain by David Cockcroft

And more…

Sep 27 2018

Jarul Book Awards – Empower your students – VOTE!

By Children's Book Award, Indian Literature, Readaloud No Comments

Jarul Book Awards – Empower your Students – VOTE!

Jarul Book Awards is a celebration of Indian Literature. Jarul Book Award is a pride of India designed to honor the best in Children’s Indian Literature. A Children’s Choice Award, empowering children to read, voice their choice and select the best one based on criteria that students will need to consider.

Empower your students, give them a voice for their choice. To participate click here. Nominated Titles are:

                  

Titles for review were:

  1. Dharmarajan, Geeta, and Srivi. Run Ranga! Run! Katha, 2014.Print.

  2. Kākoḍakāra Mīnā, and Charutha Reghunath. One’s Own, Yet Different. Katha, 2017.Print.

  3. Mehta, Avanti, and Manjari Chakravarti. I Planted a Seed… Tulika Publishers, 2017.Print.

  4. Menon, Saraswathi, and Proiti Roy. Unhappy Moon. Tulika Publishers, 2016.Print.

  5. Mukundan Eṃ, et al. The Glass Tree. Katha, 2011.Print.

  6. Nainy, Mamta, and Wadia, Niloufer. Sadiq Wants to Stich. Karadi Tales Co.Pvt Ltd., 2018.Print.

  7. Sabnani, Nina. Stitching Stories: the Art of Embroidery in Gujarat. Tulika Publishers, 2011.Print.

  8. Shridhar, Shrujana Niranjani. Aamu’s Kawandi. Katha, 2015.Print.

  9. Sorensen, Nalini and Soni, Prashant. Papa’s Marathon. Karadi Tales Co.Pvt Ltd., 2018.Print.

  10. Subramanian, Daya. Something’s Moving. Karadi Tales Co.Pvt Ltd., 2018.Print.

Jul 07 2018

Reading Aloud Stories with Purpose -1

By Librarian's Role, PYP Profiles, Readaloud, Reading and Writing, School Libraries 2 Comments

The education landscape is changing and so is reading aloud stories to children. I remember reading Night Monster by Sushree Mishra, illustrated by Sanket Pethkar; Published by Karadi Tales, 2015. It is a story about feeling scared and overcoming the fear of the night which is the general outcome of the story (comprehension) but as a librarian, it’s important to look at other aspects of a picture book. 1. You can nudge students to look at other forms of expressions like notes, and letters to convey meaning. 2. At an international school, you can use the learner attitude of empathy. 3. You can explain the ATL skills of Communication or Thinking; creatively and problem-solving strategies used by the sister to help her little brother. Asking students, what are the different ways they have problem-solved in their lives using different approaches. 4. Describe Jarul Book Award and how this award empowers children to make an impact and that students have a voice in deciding the winner of the prize. 5. You could also analyze the style of drawing, asking why the illustrator might have chosen to use shades of blue and black; ask what medium has he used to draw his picture, how long must he have taken, and why did he choose different sizes of his objects while relating the story? Sanket Pethkar is a full-time illustrator and as a teacher-librarian, you can discuss his passion for art and how this could be a profession for some. It’s time to go beyond simply the understanding or comprehension of the story.

Another story I read aloud was the Cycle’s Dream by Prabhat(Author), Vidyut Roy (Illustrator) by Elavya (2013). This story was read to many age groups, the teacher nudged the children to think about the environment, the impact of oil on the world, the futuristic world and how it would look. This was followed by an engagement, where students were prompted to create a world in the future, they could either draw or write about their future world. It could be a fantasy or a futuristic science fiction. Again, a teaching moment for a teacher-librarian, when children could learn about different genres and how fantasy differs from science fiction.

Some of the students wanted to discuss the publication of this book and how it was made, students researched and wondered how long it took for the publisher to make this book since it was created in a special format made from recycled paper. Many publishers are willing and often respond to student questions should they intend to pursue their inquiry.

It’s so important to go beyond the comprehension level of the story. We all agree that children do understand stories, our job as teacher librarians are to look at picture books with a different lens and nudge them to think creatively and critically.