Card

Painting a Picture

Students are given multiple sources that reflect a broader theme, concept, or topic. Students analyze each source individually, recording their observations and inferences. Then, students use their observations and inferences ultimately to draw a conclusion—or figuratively "paint a picture"—about the theme, concept, or topic they are studying.

Painting a Picture

Summary

This strategy empowers students to use observations and inferences about multiple visual and/or auditory sources to draw a conclusion—or figuratively "paint a picture"—about the broader theme, concept, or topic they are studying.

Procedure

Find multiple sources (art, photographs, music, or political cartoons) that address a broader topic. For example, if studying industrialization, include photos that highlight factory workers and factory conditions.
Ask students to view/listen to each source individually and record their observations and inferences.
Using the observations and inferences that students make about each individual source, ask them to draw a conclusion about the broader topic being studied. For example, ask students: Based on your inferences from the photos, what conclusion can you make about how industrialization of the American economy impacted workers?