Reading isn't just about the pictures, but they do help

My initial thoughts about my inquiry project is to focus on Visual Literacy and how it can be effective in the classroom. I feel that visual imagery plays a big role in the classroom as an effective stimuli in attracting a students attention. Sometimes a student can feel lost when reading tons of text, but visual pictures can help break up the monotny, while also adding to the student's comprehension. I plan on concentrating on pictures in general, maps, diagrams, and visual organizers. Pictures in books always attract attention and gather interest, and then lure the reader into reading to find out what the picture is about. I also think that pictures can help clarify what you are reading, by giving a visual representation. Also the book gives great examples about how diagrams and concept maps can help center a students thoughts and lead them to a better understanding of the text that they are reading. They are great about taking one main idea or several ideas and building on that knowledge. The book also talks about using graphic organizers to asses if the student is understanding what they are reading.

I feel that I can contribute my background in art to the inquiry project. Art is a great example about how pictures provide their own form of literacy. So much of art is visual and about learning how to comprehend the visual images presented to you.

As I mentioned in my previous blog alot of art is about learning the vocabulary and pictures are a good way to back up the vocabulary and present a clearer concept of what the words visually means. I feel that reading in my discipline is mainly about history or techniques of art. One is ethier learning about how or why art was created or how one can create art themselves. In art history, one is learning about why this art was created and why it is important to it's time. In learning techniques one must have a visual representation to fully understand the technique.

Why can't we all just read and get along?

I feel that it depends on the subject and the particular student on whether or not a student is adapt at reading that particular content's literature. If a student does not have a strong background in a particular subject, then they are not going to feel as invested in learning that subject or trying to learn that content. It is our jobs as teachers to provide a strong background and use a variety of methods to teach the students to be able to read our content and understand it. Alverman discusses that not all students read the same, and it is our job to provide multiple ways of reading and not just the textbooks, but at the same time teach students the way to read the textbooks through various comprehension strategies.
My experience through content literacy is that vocabulary plays a big role in comprehending a text. If you know the vocabulary then you have a better chance of comprehending the text. Also relating the text to your own life or current events helps the text become personal and meaningful which in turn makes it more comprehensible.
In my opinion art is all about the vocabulary. If you can get a sense of what the terms used mean, then you can figure out what is being talked about. Understanding art also relies heavily on the visual aspects. Taking a definition or term and applying it with a visual picture is a great way to get a point across. A great example is the word monochromatic and showing a composition with various shades of the same color. Discussing why a particular work of art was created also allows a better understanding when reading about the history of art.