Picture Stories

Purpose: Picture stories are a multi-level resource that is especially valuable for working with beginning language learners. They can be used to build vocabulary, conversation, reading and writing skills.

Prep Time: 10-30 minutes, depending on the number of sets needed and the number of activity variations to plan for.

Materials: One set of four to ten pictures per pair of students; pencils and notebooks.

Prep:

1. Decide on a story line and brainstorm possible images that could represent the story line. The story doesn’t have to have a plot—it could be a sequence of steps.
2. Follow the steps outlined in How to Create Picture Cards and Stories.
3. Note that there doesn’t have to be one set story. Having more than one story to tell with the pictures gives students more reasons to communicate with each other.

Procedure:

1. Use the pictures to assess students’ vocabulary knowledge and to teach any unfamiliar key words.
2. Assign pairs of students and provide each pair with one picture story. The students sequence the pictures into a story and then give their story a title.
3. Group pairs into groups of four. The pairs tell each other their stories. If time allows, they can discuss similarities and differences.
4. Elicit a story from the class and write it on the board.
5. Students copy the story into their notebooks.
6. Use the text on the board to teach students to read the story. You might read it aloud several times as a class, in pairs and in small groups. See other Tutor Tips tagged as reading activities for more ideas.
7. Use the pictures as a writing prompt. Students can write another version of the story.