But before she does, she'll donate more than 2,000 of her classroom books to Project Storybook on behalf of the Association. In both reading and art, a starting point is often to ask students what a book or story, painting or sculpture is about. Students make inferences about what's happening in a story as they read. Likewise, when looking at art, students can make inferences about what they think the artist is trying to communicate or express. Discuss their various points of view as a class.
Students connect text with what they already know from experience.
Have students respond to a story or art by thinking about what went into creating it. Talk about techniques such as word choice in writing or brush stroke and color choice in painting. Ask what mood they think the work suggests. Think aloud as you respond to a piece of art or writing. Then, encourage students to practice this technique themselves.