Reading Week #4

I found after reading this article, that I am totally out of touch with the elementary/secondary schools.

Since my children have grown and I teach college students I never knew that reading and imagery went hand in hand. I really feel like a fish out of water.

What I know about illuminated text and using pictures to help a student read more proficiently is very miniscule. I do believe, however, there is a place for illuminated text in the school. But not the way I just learned it. I feel that if a child is having trouble learning to read, the illuminated text of flashy words and letters zooming from one side to the other would only confuse a student more. In the examples that were posted for us I found the illuminated text ‘I carry you in my heart’ to be quite boring and if I were having trouble reading, I would give up early. Where the example of the toothpicks, ‘Toothpick Ocean’ kept words moving along with images and I think this would resonate better with the student. As Stated in our reading “We have noticed that the strategic use of visual material can enhance reading experiences for reluctant and low-ability readers and, indeed, can help them become more proficient creators of internal visual imagery that supports comprehension.”( pg 759) I interpret visual as meaning pictures, drawings etc. Where as, in the 1^st paragraph on page 762 titled ‘Illustrations in the text’, I feel that illustrated text when used with pictures or drawings in addition to words would be an excellent tool in the school. In fact I feel that one of my fellow student’s illustrated text about FDR and the day of infamy would be an excellent example of this. It has pictures and words and the speaker of those words. I was mesmerized by it.