Have students preview the reading selection. Emphasize
that they should give special attention to
pictures, drawings, or graphics that are included with
the text. This is especially important for science or social
studies texts, which typically feature a number of
visual elements that enhance information. As students
notice these visual elements, they begin to see what
the material is about. You also may wish to use other
sources for pictures that will stimulate the students’
imaginations (see You Ought to Be in Pictures, page
149). For example, before biology students tackle the
dense prose of their textbook,
a science teacher can
take them through a short,
guided imagery exercise on
fungi (see Guided Imagery
for Science, page 60). After
students imagine the fungi,
they are directed to a photograph
in their textbook to
see how close their imaginations
were to the actual item.