Open-Mind Portraits
strategy 26
A way to help learning point of view
Grades: 3-5 and 6-8
Focus: comprehension
What is it used for?
Steps to use it in your classroom.....
Ways to use the strategy:
A literacy and social studies lesson using open-mind portraits by Jacquelyn Galante
http://msmorrisreadingstrategies.weebly.com/uploads/2/3/0/4/23047502/5753754_orig.gif
Example of open-mind portrait
Focus: comprehension
What is it used for?
- focuses on characters in literature.
- comprehension of text
- learning point of view
- round or flat characters
- compare and contrasting portraits to examine the plot and different characters throughout the story.
- assess students on how they view characters (right or wrong direction?)
Steps to use it in your classroom.....
- Have a copy of face portrait for each student, make sure it has front of face and back.
- Have students make the physical features of the person on the front. This will help your visual and spatial learners in the classroom.
- Students will write thoughts, pictures, comments, feelings that the character on the back of the person.
- Your students can share with the table to help get a better understanding of the character for their classes view, and to add to the characters portrait.
Ways to use the strategy:
- individual or small groups
- compare/contrast how the character changed through the story
- after to assess comprehension
- give students choice of which character
- encourage creativity
For advanced learners:
Have the students prove where they got the information from. Extend to a writing activity by having the student write a short letter from their characters point of view explaining who they are.
Helpful Links:
A literacy and social studies lesson using open-mind portraits by Jacquelyn Galante
http://msmorrisreadingstrategies.weebly.com/uploads/2/3/0/4/23047502/5753754_orig.gif
Example of open-mind portrait
Common Core Connections:
- English---RL.3.6 Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters.
- English---RL.7.8 Explain how the author develops the narrator or the speaker in a text. Analyze how the author develops and contrasts the point of view of different characters.
- Social Studies---Understanding major ideas, themes, and turning points in world history.
Sources:
Tompkins, Gail E. "Open-Mind Portrait." 50 Literacy Strategies. 4th ed. N.p.: Pearson, n.d. 78-80. Print.