Wordless Books

By: Kristin Bayne and Megan

Duffard

What are Wordless Books?

A book where the story, concept or information is conveyed through
pictures.
There are multiple ways to use wordless books in the classroom:
Published wordless books
Create a wordless book in class
Have students read to each other
One-on-one instruction with the student
Informal assessments

Benefits and Challenges

Benefits:
Diversity: same pictures, different
stories
Allows student to exercise
comprehension, practice listening
skills and verbalize thoughts using
sentences of their own.
Appropriate and fun for all proficiency
levels.
Self-paced

Challenges:
Difficult to teach broader abstract
concepts with visual imagery. (ex:
morality) Has to have specific
context.
Beginner ELLs may become frustrated
if they cannot voice what they want
to say.
Visual impairments.
Various cultures may interpret images
differently.

Our Lesson Plan

Subject: ELA

Grade Level: First Grade

Topic: Elements of a story (characters, setting, beginning, middle and

end)
ELPS: Speaking
Teacher-made wordless story. The students and teacher read the story
together. Students help the teacher identify the elements of a story and
put into a graphic organizer.

How it can be used in other content areas!

Science and Social Studies:
Provides visuals for things the student may not be familiar with (ex: cultural customs,
things in nature)
Uses multiple senses to associate the spoken word with a visual representation.
Teachers can use sound effects/music to go along with the book to illustrate a concept.
Students can describe what they are seeing multiple ways.
Students can create their own wordless books to communicate what they have learned.
(ex: observation journal in science)