Pictures are fun to look at, but in nonfiction they are not "eye candy." Visuals in nonfiction represent the critical messages sent to us in the 21st century world. We live in a visual society, messages are articulated through image more than 94 percent of the time. To equip our students for that world, we must teach them to understand, analyze, evaluate, the messages these images represent.
This lesson does just that. Give it a go with Fran Lantan book in Penguins!
Think about what Fran intended readers to know and understand about Penguins. What is his BIG IDEA? Here are some questions to get you started:
- What is emphasized in the image?
- How does Fran use color, line, contrast, tone, …to make his point?
- What does Fran want us to understand about penguins?
- What is Fran’s purpose for the text?
- His message?
- The Big Idea?
- Can you put it into your own words?
Try it out, and I will be sharing how kids responded. Love to hear how it went for you!







