Instruction
1. Read the article, Eye of the Beholder: Research, Theory and Practice by Abigail Housen on her research, and the development of Visual Thinking Strategies. See Eye of the Beholder
2. Select a quote from Housen's research (1997), such as
"Constructivist teaching allows the student's mental frame to evolve; student learning occurs when the learner is actively making new constructions, building new kinds of meaning in new kinds of ways" (Housen, 1997, p5.).
and discuss how Housen's perspective connects to the theoretical framework for Natural Approach, or the Direct Approach.
3. Then, visit the website What's Going On in This Picture to see the images curated for What's Going on in This Picture? Select on an image and scroll down to read how you and your students can participate in a mediated discussion on the images.
4. Next, browse the available images, and select one that you could use with your own students (or hypothetical students, if you do not currently have students).
Explain how you could use this website, image, or approach to advance language and cognitive development of your ELL's.