Visual Thinking Strategies and the Common Core State Standards

Cara GogerM A R I P O S A C O U N T Y A R T S C O U N C I L

info@arts-mariposa.org

Larry Fink

What is going on in this photograph?

Visual Thinking Strategies

Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is a student-centered curriculum in which the student examines and discusses works of art, prompted by questions selected to support careful, evidentiary looking.

VTS questions are:

1. What is going on in this picture?

2. What do you see that makes you say that?

3. What more can we find?

Imogen Cunningham

Visual Thinking Strategies

3 Facilitation Techniques:

•Paraphrase comments neutrally

•Point at the area being discussed

•Linking and framing student comments

Jerry Uelsmann

Visual Thinking Strategies

Students are asked to:

•Look carefully at works of art

•Talk about what they observe

•Back up their ideas with evidence

•Listen to and consider the views of others

•Discuss many possible interpretations

Danny Lyons

Visual Thinking Strategies and the Common Core State Standards

One of the major shifts in the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts demands that students "produce and use evidence in a text to justify their views" (Santos, Darling-Hammond & Cheuk, 2012).

By using the VTS method on a regular basis, teachers can develop evidence-based reasoning habits in their students.Alexander Rodchenko

Visual Thinking Strategies and CCSS ELA Anchor Standards

Reading

Anchor Standard 7: Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.

Anchor Standard 6: Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.

Sebastiao Selgado

Visual Thinking Strategies and CCSS ELA Anchor Standards

Writing

Anchor Standard 1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or text, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

Elliott Erwitt

Visual Thinking Strategies and CCSS ELA Anchor Standards

Speaking and Listening

Anchor Standard 1: Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on other’s ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

Anchor Standard 2: Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

Anchor Standard 3: Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.

Anchor Standard 4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Phillipe Halsman

Visual Thinking Strategies and CCSS ELA Anchor Standards

Language Standards

Anchor Standard 5: Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.

Alex Webb

Visual Thinking Strategies and English Language Learners

The CCSS guidelines for working with English Language Learners explicitly states that teachers should:

•Provide opportunities for ELLs to interact with proficient English speakers

•Provide opportunities for classroom interactions (both listening and speaking) that develop concepts and academic language in the disciplines.

•Provide opportunities for ELLs to build on their strengths, prior experiences, and background knowledge.

Harold Eugene Edgerton

SOURCES

Coleman and Goldenburg. (2012) The Common Core Challenge for English Language Learners. Principle Leadership (pp. 46-51).

DeSantis and Housen. (2007) Aesthetic Development and Creative and Critical Thinking Skills Study. Visual Understanding in English.

Housen. (2001-2001) Aesthetic Thought, Critical Thinking and Transfer. Arts and Learning Research Journal, Vol. 18, No.1 (pp. 99-132)

Housen. (1999) Eye of the Beholder: Research, Theory and Practice. Presented at the conference of “Aesthetic and Art Education: a Transdisciplinary Approach. Lisbon, Portugal

Santos, Darling-Hammond, Cheuk. (2012) Teacher Development to Support English Language Learners in the Context of Common Core State Standards. Understanding Language | Language, Literacy, and Learning in the Content Areas.

Thinking Through Art Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum School Partnership Program Summary Final Research Results (2007). Institute for Learning Innovation, Annapolis, MD

RESOURCESVisual Understanding in Education (VTS) webpage:www.vue.org

Understanding Language | Language, Literacy, and Learning in the Content Area – Stanford Universityhttp://ell.stanford.edu