The Picture Strategy

Have you tried using pictures or photos to teach history? A picture/photo can be used as a “Teaching Hook” to catch your child’s interest and introduce the subject. The picture can be of a historical time, place, object or person. This strategy can be used for any subject or topic.

This of a photo taken in Rome, but you can use photos from multiple sources, such as vacations, books, internet etc.  Show your child the picture and ask them to describe what they see.

Talk about the picture. Then ask some open-ended questions that arouse curiosity about Rome.  What do you see?  Are there letters? Do you think they have something to do with the Roman Culture? What about the fountain?

From here you can jot down the child’s observations and make a discovery game out of them. As you study Rome, the child can look out for the fountains filled by the ancient aqueducts and the S.P.Q.R shield, to discover what they mean for the Romans.

This is the “Teaching Hook”.  It introduces the study of Rome by creating curiosity about Rome. As the child discovers the meaning of the fountains, ancient aqueducts and S.P.Q.R. shield, the child feels a sense of ownership about Rome. They are now engaged in the subject because they feel a connection.

Tip: Use pictures/photos often in various subjects to elicit curiosity and questions. This strategy encourages the child to use discovery to satisfy their curiosity and gives them a sense of ownership for the subject.  

The Picture Strategy is "how to" example of using the Teaching Hook with content. 

Available at http://chi-nhfp.blogspot.com/p/picture-strategy-pic-hook.html