A powerful pre-reading strategy that builds comprehension, vocabulary, and prediction skills by exploring book illustrations before reading the text.
A Picture Walk is a guided preview of a book's illustrations before reading the text. Students "walk" through the pages, examining pictures and making predictions about the story. This strategy activates prior knowledge, builds anticipation, introduces vocabulary in context, and sets a purpose for reading. For Grade 1 students who are developing as readers, picture walks make new texts accessible and reduce anxiety about reading.
ELO 2: Learners will comprehend and respond personally and critically to oral, print, and other media texts.
ELO 3: Learners will manage ideas and information.
Students work in pairs to conduct a picture walk with a familiar book, taking turns asking questions.
Students look through pictures silently, then share observations. Good for practicing focused attention.
Students draw or write their prediction before reading, then compare after reading.
Focus the picture walk on finding and naming as many objects as possible - great for building word banks.
