Blog Topic #15: Preliminary VTS findings

I was amazed at my students' post VTS writing samples!  All but one student increased their word count --and I mean significantly--like from 19 words to 245 words at one extreme.  Most at least doubled their word count.  And a few of the other categories were just as amazing--especially the detailed observations.  My students may still be Stage 1 viewers, but they are definitely noticing more and more about the images.  This doesn't really surprise me as I really believe that VTS is an unbelievable method of teaching students to think and write creatively.  Even Student #1, one of my "persons of interest", who lacks self confidence expressing himself, more than doubled his word count and quadrupled his simple observations! I'm sure their classroom work has contributed to this increase as well, but by using VTS I think we can really make a difference.  The students really seemed to have fun writing about the image!  Just imagine what a difference several years of VTS could have on a group of students!  I think my group of 3rd graders will continue to benefit from their VTS experience and eventually become insightful critical thinkers.  I know that I am much more aware of helping them get the most out of their VTS sessions and it has really been a joy to watch them as they answer the question:  "What's going on in this picture?"