Technological advances and the way young people interact with them means children are thinking and processing information in an increasingly visual manner. Visualising Literacy recognises that many, if not most children are attracted to visual images and uses this as a basis for introducing and developing a range of thinking skills and strategies for learning. This practical resource offers a selection of visuals, each accompanied by activities that give children practice in using their imaginations in different ways.
Visualising Literacy
not only explores creative and critical thinking skills but pays close attention to the over-arching thinking skill that we call imagination. The book contains around 150 practical activities that develop childrens imaginations, focusing on a range of thinking skills including but not limited to:
- developing observational/ attentional skills
- noticing details (focusing of attention)
- assimilating visual information
- increasing experience of inferential thinking, speculation, dealing with generalisations
- boosting vocabulary
- empowering ones attitude towards exploring ideas
- learning different questioning techniques
- increasing the ability to empathise
- becoming comfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity
Many of the visualisation techniques can be applied to developing different aspects of emotional resourcefulness including empathy, positive self-image, anchoring positive thoughts and modifying negative thoughts and feelings. This is therefore an essential resource for any teacher or education professional who are keen to develop childrens ability to think and express their own ideas.
This practical resource offers a selection of visuals, each accompanied by activities that give children practice in using their imaginations in different ways. Visualising Literacy not only explores creative and critical thinking skills but pays close attention to the over-arching thinking skill that we call imagination.
1. Using This Book and Introduction
2. Some Definitions3. Educational
Benefits of Developing the Imagination
4. The Attitude
5. Mind Warmups
6.
Picture Exploration a Medley of Thinking Skills
7. Questioning with
Confidence
8. Collecting Motifs
9. Colour Combinations
10. Subtle
Distinctions
11. Sound Words
12. Submodalities
13. Step In The Physical
Dimension
14. Whats the Feeling
15. Two Anecdotes
16. Just Enough
17.
Sensory Treasures
18. Spelling Strategies
19. Break State
20. Minimal Writing
and Artful Vagueness
21. Cross-Matching Senses
22. Drawing Out Meaning
23.
Point of View
24. Picture Masking
25. Beyond the Frame
26. Cinematic Method
for Describing a Picture
27. Studying Pictures
28. Sensory Journey
29.
Educational Value of the Sensory Journey
30. Vivid Particularities
31.
Creative Conversations
32. Imagining Impossible Things
33. More Thought
Experiments
34. Inspiration
35. A Medley of Visualisations
36. Reframing
37.
Scrambletales
38. Linking Game
39. Descriptive Writing
40. Some Literary
Devices for Descriptive Writing
41. Pictograms and Hieroglyphs
42. Letter
Associations
43. Describing Phonemes
44. Interpreting Abstract Shapes
45.
Venn Diagrams
46. Sliderman
47. Heads or Tails
48. Dice Journey
49.
Controlling the Imagination
50. Tackling Text
51. Thoughts, Feelings,
Memories and Dreams
25. Mindfulness
23. A Special Place
54. Imagination
Beyond the Curriculum References and Resources Index
Steve Bowkett taught secondary English for 20 years before becoming a full-time author. He has written fiction for adults and children of all ages, plus educational books on literacy, thinking skills, creativity, philosophy and emotional resourcefulness.
Tony Hitchman has over 35 years of experience teaching throughout the primary age range in diverse schools culminating in 11 years as a primary headteacher. He has frequently collaborated with Steve Bowkett on books and projects to develop childrens literacy and creativity.
