Lesson 1: Exploring Visual Texts in Into the Forest
Objective: Students will explore how illustrations in Into the Forest convey meaning and ask open-ended questions about the images.
Materials:
- Into the Forest by Anthony Browne
- Projector or Smartboard to display illustrations from the book
- Worksheet: Open-Ended Question Prompts
Introduction
1. Show the class an illustration from Into the Forest and ask them to silently observe the details in the image. Ask, “What do you see? What might be happening in this picture?”
2. Discuss how illustrations can tell a story on their own and provide additional information to the text.
3. Explain that students will be developing open-ended questions about the images, which will help them think deeply about the story.
Activity 1
- Display another key illustration from the book (e.g., the boy walking through the dark forest).
- As a class, brainstorm open-ended questions to ask about the image. For example:
- “Why does the boy look worried?”
- “What might be hiding in the trees?”
- “How do the dark colors make you feel?”
- “Why do you think the author chose to use shadows in this part of the story?”
Activity 2
- Hand out the “Open-Ended Question Prompts” worksheet.
- Students will select an illustration from the book (or one you display) and compose three open-ended questions about it, either directed at the characters or the author.
Conclusion
- Ask a few students to share one of their open-ended questions and discuss how these questions help us think more deeply about the story.
Lesson 2: Analyzing How Visual Elements Convey Meaning
Objective: Students will analyze how color, expression, and other visual elements in Into the Forest create mood and meaning.
Materials:
- Into the Forest by Anthony Browne
- Worksheet: Visual Elements in Illustrations (with sections for color, mood, facial expression)
- Colored pencils
Introduction
1. Show an illustration from Into the Forest and discuss the mood it creates. Ask questions like, “How do the colors in this picture make you feel? What do you think the boy is feeling?”
2. Introduce the idea that artists use color, shadows, and expressions to make readers feel certain emotions and to give clues about the story.
Activity 1
- Hand out the “Visual Elements in Illustrations” worksheet.
- As a class, choose another illustration and guide students through identifying:
- The colors: Are they dark or bright? What might that tell us about the mood?
- The mood: How does the picture make us feel (e.g., scared, excited)?
- The facial expressions: How does the character’s face show what they’re feeling?
Activity 2:
- Students will then select an illustration of their choice from the book and complete the worksheet independently, analyzing the colors, mood, and expressions used.
Conclusion:
- Discuss how analyzing visual elements helps us understand the story better. Ask a few students to share their findings.
Lesson 3: Writing Open-Ended Questions and Responses
Objective: Students will write open-ended questions about an illustration from Into the Forest and respond to one of their own questions as if they were the character or the author.
Materials:
- Into the Forest by Anthony Browne
- Writing paper
- Example question and response (displayed on board)
Introduction:
1. Review the concept of open-ended questions and why they help us think more deeply about a story.
2. Show an example of an open-ended question and a response. For example:
o Question: “Why did the boy decide to walk through the forest alone?”
o Response (as the boy): “I wanted to find my grandma, and I thought going through the forest would be faster, but I didn’t expect it to be so scary.”
Activity 1:
- Students will write three open-ended questions about an illustration they choose from the book.
- Then, they will choose one question to respond to, writing as if they were the character or the author.
Activity 2:
- Ask students to partner up and read their questions and responses to each other.
- Encourage them to provide feedback, asking, “Does the response sound like it could be what the character or author might say?”
Conclusion:
- Invite a few students to share their questions and responses with the class. Highlight examples where the responses gave insight into the character or story.
Lesson 4: Creating a Visual Response to Into the Forest
Objective: Students will create their own illustration inspired by Into the Forest and write a short paragraph explaining their visual choices.
Materials:
- Drawing paper
- Colored pencils or markers
- Example illustration and written explanation
Introduction:
1. Show students a simple drawing inspired by Into the Forest and explain your visual choices. For example, “I used dark colors to show that the forest is scary, and I made the boy’s face look worried to show his feelings.”
2. Tell students that today they will create their own illustration inspired by the book and explain why they made certain artistic choices.
Activity 1:
- Students will draw their own picture based on a scene or feeling from Into the Forest. They should think about:
- What mood they want to create.
- How colors and expressions can show what’s happening in their picture.
Activity 2:
- After finishing their drawings, students will write a short paragraph explaining their artistic choices. For example, “I used dark blue to show the nighttime in the forest, and I made the trees look big and scary.”
Conclusion:
- Display the students’ illustrations around the classroom and allow them to do a gallery walk, viewing each other’s work and reading the explanations.
Assessment:
- Assess students’ ability to create thoughtful, open-ended questions about the illustrations.
- Evaluate their understanding of visual elements (color, mood, expressions) and how these contribute to the story.
- Review the written responses to ensure students are thinking critically about the characters or author’s intentions.
- Assess creativity and comprehension in their visual responses and written explanations.
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