A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

After week two, one of the activities providing the most insight has been picture analysis and reaction.  Pictures are powerful tools in the GT classroom.  There are many strategies that require students to use depth and complexity when thinking about a picture.  First, we have used pictures and short videos as warm-ups. For example, I showed quick videos of a ping pong match and a time lapse of a snowfall to our math class, and asked them how we could make a scatterplot based on what they observed.

A more open ended approach is Birdie Kingore's 3-2-1, which requires students to make three observations, two inferences, and one question about a picture such as a polar bear standing on a small part of an iceberg.  We have also used pictures as writing prompts, symbol drawing exercises, and concept reinforcement.

Without question, ASPIRE 5 has been most impressive when asked to make inferences.  Their ability to relate new concepts and previous learning to a picture allows them to make conjectures based on evidence and apply their imagination and creativity.

In addition, the students bring multiple perspectives and different experiences to the classroom, which allows us to share 19 opinions about a single picture!  The students obviously enjoy communicating their unique ideas and observations with each other, so we will continue to use pictures to stimulate thinking all year long.

What questions can you generate about an intriguing picture?  Give it a try at http://www.101qs.com/ !