SKETCH TO STRETCH       

 Purpose: The purpose of this comprehension strategy is to encourage non-verbal responses from students; the text may be read by the students or they may listen to the text being read aloud. This strategy provides a framework for the interpretive discussion of text.

Select a scene or section from this part of the book and create an artistic impression that presents your interpretation of it.  Do not compose an illustration, or a picture of what is described in the text; rather, compose something that symbolizes or represents the feeling, emotion, or meaning related to a scene. 

You may compose graphs, symbols, etc. Be ready to share your artistic impression and explain it to us.

As you form your groups to share your sketches, think about the following:

• Invite the students in your group to interpret your sketch.

• You may wish to ask, "What is this a picture of?"

  • "What do you think I found important or interesting in the story?"

• After members of your group provide their interpretations, feel free to comment on your sketch.