Learning to decode visuals and graphics is an essential skill for everyone, but most especially for visual-spatial learners, which includes most ADHD students. Susan Daniels’ book provides essential explanations and many teaching resources for K-8, says educator Joanne Bell.
Anyone can doodle, writes Dr. Susan Daniels. When students doodle to represent concepts and ideas, they synthesize information and encode it in memory for easy recall and retrieval. It’s a well-researched strategy that can be used across grade levels and subject areas.
Building on her 1999 best seller, Georgia Heard shares 20 stories and templates in her new book “Heart Maps.” Each map is supported by tips, genre ideas, student samples and mentor texts. Long-time devotee Linda Biondi celebrates Heard’s latest accomplishment.
Book Reviews / Visual & Media Literacy
by MiddleWeb · Published 03/17/2016 · Last modified 11/16/2019
Roger Essley shares an abundance of visual strategies and tools to help a wide range of middle grades students understand complex ideas in ELA, math, science and social studies. Reviewer Anne Anderson recommends his research-based, classroom tested approach.
Integrated STEM Literacy / STEM By Design
by Anne Jolly · Published 12/08/2015 · Last modified 12/13/2019
In focusing on traditional text-based knowledge & skills, we miss the key role visual tools play in STEM exploration and innovation. Recognizing the ways scientists and engineers use visuals with text can help us better support students in every classroom, writes author/illustrator Roger Essley.
Much of the ISTE discussion this year focused on the best ways to use technology effectively, says MS teacher and tech enthusiast Patti Grayson. To celebrate, Grayson offers 5 examples from her own classroom of the best times to bring out the digital tools.
Too much close reading is boring, say Mike Fisher & Danielle Hardt, as students comb through fiction, constantly analyzing lots of text. Ask them to read and write digital microstories. They’ll build evaluation & synthesis skills and have some fun.
