This document describes a visual pedagogy project for a book report. It discusses using visual models like dioramas to allow students to demonstrate their understanding of a book in a three-dimensional, hands-on way. Instructions are provided for building a diorama that illustrates the main idea, tone, and theme of a book. The goal is to enhance learning and accommodate different learning styles by incorporating visuals into what is typically a text-focused assignment. Analysis suggests that visuals can help students learn and express their understanding creatively in new ways.

1. Visual Pedagogy Project:
Visual Book Report
By: Kristen Mitsch

2. Why?
• Elementary Education Major with a Reading
Specialist Concentration
• I love to read and find this type of project
interesting.
• Find interesting ideas to assess literacy for my
future classroom.
• Integrate the use of visuals into a text
dominate subject are to help enhance the
learning experience for my students.

3. Process of Inquiry
• http://www.youthlearn.org/learning/teaching/techniques/teaching-
visual-arts/teaching-visual-arts-were-all-visual-learners
– Whether with crayons or computers, kids like doing art. Well-conceived
projects and activities that introduce graphic and multimedia arts are not only
fun, they help kids expand their creative skills.
• http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/book_report_ideas.sht
ml
– Many examples of innovative book report ideas
• http://sjh.horrycountyschools.net/UserFiles/Servers/Server_1038263/File
/Summer%20Reading%202009/3D%20Book%20Report%20Project%20Dio
rama.pdf
– Rubric and direction example for a diorama
• http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/instructionalmaterials/qt/adapt
materials.htm
– Using visual models and hands-on projects when possible to allow students to
gain understanding of material using their visual learning skills will help
accommodate students with language processing disorders.

4. Process of Project
• Objective: To illustrate the main idea of a book visually by building a diorama.
• Supplies:
• shoe box
• scissors
• glue
• construction paper
• drawing paper or clip art
• art materials of choice: crayons, markers, colored pencils, etc.
• Teacher Instructions: Discuss how the main idea of a book can be conveyed through
particular images or by illustrating a key event in the book.
• Student Instructions:
• First, read a book.
• Design and build a diorama to illustrate the book.
• The diorama should include the book’s title and author.
• The diorama should illustrate the tone and main idea of the book. Write a brief narrative at the top to explain your scene.
• Cover the inside of the shoe box with construction paper.
• Print and color clip art to glue inside the diorama, or draw pictures of
• your own. You can also use text inside the diorama.
• Glue images and text in the diorama to create a 3-dimensional effect.
• Hints:
• Illustrate a particular scene in the book or use images, text and colors to illustrate the tone and theme of the book.
• You can use quotes from the book.
• Be original and creative.

5. The Visual Product

6. The Visual Product

7. The Visual Product

8. The Visual Product

9. Analysis
• Visuals can help students to demonstrate their
learning in a different way.
• It is important to be able to express meaning
through the use of visuals and not just text.
• Visual learning helps students to be able to
interact and understand the world around them.
• Creativity stimulates the brain and forces
students to think outside the box and display
meaning with symbols.

10. My Teaching Philosophies
• School should be enjoyable and students engaged in what
they are learning
• Try to incorporate new ideas in classroom to learn material
instead of taking easy route
• Reading and comprehension are extremely important for
entire education so learning to enjoy it is necessary
• Students learn in different ways so the more opportunities
or ways you offer to learn and show comprehension, the
better your chances are to reach every student
• There are so many resources available now for students to
use to learn that they should have the opportunity to use
them and demonstrate their skills in multiple areas.