Robin Talkowski’s Blog: Reading & Technology

Reading teachers often tell students, “Create a picture in your mind while reading.  It is like having your own movie running in your head.”  Some students do this naturally …  but not all.  To engage middle school students in this visualization process, I have adapted the American Film Institute‘s (AFI) curriculum for The Door Scene.  While reading a suspenseful mystery, students are introduced to The Door Scene and nine camera angles.  After filming The Door Scene, they read passages from the book and decide how they would shoot the scene if they were going to make it into a movie.  Now students don’t respond to, “Are you getting a picture in your mind?”  They are asked, “What shots are you filming (in your head)?”  Translating this important reading skill into a medium with which students are very familiar has created new enthusiasm for reading, film making, and analyzing how authors and film makers communicate their message.

Of course, I have made all my students promise to pick me up in a chauffeur driven limousine for their movie premier.  Time will tell if I ever get that ride!