Drawing to Enhance Understanding

From the desk of Leigh Ann . . .

During a recent literacy lesson, I had the opportunity to work with a group of fourth graders who were reading a piece of historical fiction.  They were working to construct a character analysis and decided to create some drawings to show their understanding of the text.  As a visual learner – one who is constantly painting pictures in my mind – I jumped at the chance to be a part of this activity.

A strong new character had just been introduced and would play a pivotal role in the plot of their unfolding story.  First, the students were encouraged to visualize the Native American leader that had just entered their text.  Then, their teacher methodically reread the passage and we all discussed the key descriptive language that the author had used.  The students were encouraged to cite the text, draw on their prior knowledge to understand the vocabulary, and then describe the character.  Together we analyzed physical characteristics, actions, words, feelings, mannerisms, and the other characters’ reactions toward this man.  After dissecting the piece in small groups, we were ready to begin.

Each student started with a piece of drawing paper, a pencil, and an open mind. Step by step we worked together, citing the traits of the character that were given in the text.  As we focused on shapes and lines, the character evolved on paper and the students became immersed in their creations.  We explored how to show his “strong somber” features and discussed how we could illustrate the meaning of those words.  The drawings began to come to life as the students reread paragraphs and searched for more details.  The sketches revealed the students’ growing understanding of the character, they became more engaged, and the text became more meaningful.

This experience made me think – what a difficult task it can be for a growing reader to enter an author’s world and gain understanding.  When you effectively connect with a text, you tend to use your senses.  You see the character in your mind’s eye and can almost feel the physical sensations of certain events.  We want to give our children the essential tools to actively engage with a good book and genuinely gain meaning.  By tasking students to create their own representations of important story elements, they can use their mental images, the text, and their prior knowledge to gain greater understanding of what they have read.  Using drawing as a strategy to enhance the reading experience may help students connect with the author’s world and demonstrate their understanding in a concrete and meaningful way.  As we build the strategies that empower our students to be readers for life, reading will empower their lives.

“Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep continuing needs, is good for him.”  – Maya Angelou