Working with English Language Learners

A Picture Can Say A Thousand Words

For kindergarten children who need practice in vocabulary.

Use an extra large picture (posters work well) of a subject that interests the children you are working with. As the children sit in a group around the picture, ask each child to name something he sees in the picture. Discuss each item with the children.

"What do you know about the item? What experience do you have with it?"

"Are there other words that you can think of that are like this item?"

As you discuss children's prior knowledge and background, help to clarify any misconceptions that may arise. As you continue, write the name of the item on a large label and tape or tack it directly to the item in the picture. Follow this same procedure with five or six other items.

Ask the children to draw a story that has pictures using the new words. Ask them to place labels on their drawing just as the class did earlier. Some students may want to write their story using the new words. Ask them to highlight the vocabulary words that they used in their story. Be careful not to place too many restrictions on the children as they create their stories. For example, don't require children to use all the words in their story or to write the words three times each. As the children create their stories, circulate among them, helping and encouraging them to draw or write and then explain their stories. Comment on their use of words and provide positive feedback about their work.

Afterwards, ask the children to share their stories with their classmates, encouraging them to embellish their story. Ask questions about the words they used and connect their use of words to the original picture. Did they use the words in a different context? Did they use new, unique words in their story? Good for them!

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