Teaching students to make inferences is a core component of thinking critically. Using visual writing prompts encourages students to think divergently, and when given time to look and think about the image, students partake in debate about the meaning of the work. This goes way beyond, “What do you see?” It asks students to justify their thoughts and develop a rationale for their response. Any one of the questions on the reproducible critical thinking worksheets (see below) may become an extended writing assignment. Yes, very young children can do this, -I’ve done it- it works!
My visual writing prompt, Through the Keyhole, has numerous details to engage students in conversation and thought. Simply show this image on a Smartboard or use a boxlight to project it. Follow the guidelines below to use the illustration in class. Be sure to download and print out the corresponding worksheets.
Through the Keyhole, Denise Cassano, www.corndogart.com
Any one of the questions from the worksheets can be expanded into a more detailed writing assignment. Students may even write rebuttals, disagreeing with the opinion of another student. Again, he/she must explain why. Encourage different answers and different opinions. Say, “What if…?” and propose a contrary viewpoint. Your students will love it.
– Denise Cassano
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