Close Looking is very similar to Close Reading, except students examine and reflect on images instead of text. Students are shown images, and they pose questions, make questions, make predictions, etc. based on what they see in the picture(s). The purpose of this strategy is to make meaning from the image, similar to making meaning from a text. This can be a whole class activity as part of a daily warm up or can be used by students as they read independently or in their literature circles.

 

This strategy would also be taught as a series of mini-lessons during reading workshop to help students make meaning from texts. Once students become more comfortable using the strategy, they can independently use it everyday during reading workshop and literature circles. Also, close looking can be used as a warm up or “bell ringer” for students to discuss and work on at the beginning of the day. Front-cover pictures from the local or national newspaper, as well as images from National Geographic can be shown without captions to integrate community and current events into the classroom. A blog, Wordless News, also produces an artistic image based on the daily news and would be a great resource for Close Looking material. Finally, wordless picture books and foreign language picture books can be used to teach and practice this strategy.

 

This strategy helps students develop meaning making and critical thinking skills as they question, predict, and infer. Close looking is also a great way to increase excitement and motivation for reading among reluctant readers and ELL students. The text is either nonexistent or very limited in Close Looking, so students must rely on other visual clues, such as as color, shading, etc. instead of reading words to make meaning.