Picture disclosure

This is an effective strategy for getting students to look closely at images and focus on specific parts of the image. Picture disclosure requires students to 'read' visual text.

Select an appropriate image or photograph. Cover the whole picture with paper. Cut flaps in the paper so that you can disclose various parts of the picture. Disclose the picture part by part. The students need to read the image to gain clues in order to make predictions.

Have the students discuss their ideas about what you are showing them, what the whole picture may be of, using the 5Ws and one H. The students could write their ideas into their books to share with a partner.

Variations:

• Two Ps and a WC (in Carryer, Interpreting Photographs, Drawings and Paintings, 1991, pp.36–38).