CAFE: Make a Picture or Mental Image

Topic: Making Mental Images from What We Read

Lesson Objectives:
Students will understand that creating a mental picture while reading can help with
understanding and remembering a story.
TEKS 3.10- Students understand that sensory language creates imagery or graphic visuals
Key Vocabulary:
might clarify the term visualize- to see something in your head or create a mental image
This section of the reading does not have any tricky vocabulary
Materials:
The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
Small sheets of paper & pencils
clipboards
Time Estimate: 15 minutes
Transition: [depending on what time this is taught, I will use a call and response to bring students
to the carpet, or if they are coming from Specials/lunch/library, I will line them up and have them
meet me on the carpet]
Opening: I know from talking with you all over the past few weeks that our class really loves to
read. So let me ask you this: What makes reading so enjoyable? [take student answers] What is
going on in your mind while youre listening to a story or reading a story? [ideal response: There
is a picture in your head/in your brain; mental image of whats happening in the story] Exactly!
Good readers can visualize whats happening in the story as theyre reading. This can help you
understand the story better and remember it better as well!
Procedures:
Today, were going to take a look at our old pal Humphrey to see if we can form some mental
images as were listening to the story. First of all, who can recap what happened yesterday?
[student quickly recaps] Now, were trying to figure out who is taking Humphrey home for the
weekend. As Im reading, I want you to think about what images you are seeing in your head
based on whats happening in the story and the words the author used.
[stopping point: p. 29 Now Im principal of my own school] [Think aloud]
When I pictured this scene in my brain, I saw Mr. Morales driving in a car with Humphrey in his
cage in the passenger seat. The author made it clear that Mr. Morales is talking to Humphrey,
and it says in the story that he is smiling his big smile. I created my own drawing of what I

visualized while I was reading this section of the story. [show my own drawing OR draw on
whiteboard]
I have a question for you all: does everyone visualize a story the same way? [NO!] Definitely
not! We all come from different backgrounds and have different experiences, and so we visualize
stories differently. Its almost like we play a movie in our minds, and everyone is watching their
own individual movie!
Now, as I read the next section, I want you to think again about what youre seeing in your mind
as Im reading.
[stopping point: p. 30. He got that right] [think-pair-share]
Turn and talk to a partner sitting close to you about what you saw when you heard this passage.
What are the whirlwinds the author is referring to? What might that look like? What words
helped you see that in your mind?
[students share out]
Now, youre going to get a chance to draw your own mental pictures on paper as I read. As
youre drawing, think about what part of the story made you decide to draw that and what
details you decided to include. While Im reading, you can pick an image that you see in your
head from this story and draw it on your paper. [if students have issues with drawing, let them
know they can write down the images they see in words as well]
[stopping point: p. 31- not treated with respect in his own house]
Who would like to share what they decided to draw with the class? [take a few volunteers;
discuss drawings and details]
Lets think more generally about mental pictures.
What is so great about seeing the story play out in your head as youre reading? [take ideas]
Do you think you would remember a story more if you visualized it as you were reading? [yes!]
Why? [take student ideas]
What about your understanding of a story? Do you think you understand a story better if you
mentally picture it or if you dont? Why?
Exactly! Chances are, stories are more enjoyable, memorable, and make more sense if you can
see them in your mind as you are reading!
Monitoring Small Group/Individual Work: This will not be needed, as this is a whole-group
activity.
Closure: As youre reading on your own in the coming days, take a little while to think about
your own mind movie and what you are seeing. Especially in books with fewer pictures, it is
important to create your own visual to get a better understanding of what you are reading. I
cant wait to read with more of you soon, and thank you for sharing your ideas with me! [student
who originally presented idea writes strategy for CAFE board]

Differentiation: Students may write down the images they see in words instead of drawing if they
choose.
Extension: None needed- we will finish at the same time.
Assessment: Student drawings and discussion will help me determine 1) if they are
understanding the story and 2) if they understand the concept of mental images.
Evaluation of Lesson: to be done later.