Teach visual literacy with this comprehensive lesson sequence, designed to explicitly teach how authors use the sequencing of images to create meaning in visual texts.

Built around the I Do, We Do, You Do model, this lesson sequence provides a scaffolded pathway from explicit teacher modelling to guided analysis and supported application. Using The Arrival by Shaun Tan as a mentor text, students move beyond simply describing images to analysing how sequences of illustrations communicate ideas, emotions and events without written language.

Note: Get the most from this lesson by using it with the matching teacher slides and independent student activities. Click here to view the bundle.

Please note: This lesson is designed to be used alongside The Arrival by Shaun Tan (Lothian Books, 2006). Teachers should have access to their own copy of the text and provide opportunities for students to view the illustrations directly during the lesson.

Through close examination of visual texts, collaborative discussion and structured learning experiences, students investigate how illustrators deliberately use pacing, perspective, framing, composition, facial expressions, symbolism and sequencing to guide readers' interpretations. Students apply a structured visual analysis framework to infer meaning, justify their thinking and transfer their understanding to new visual texts.

What's included in this lesson sequence?

• Clear learning intentions and success criteria focused on analysing how image sequencing creates meaning in visual texts
• Explicit teacher modelling using a structured visual analysis framework
• Think-aloud examples demonstrating how to interpret image sequences and justify inferences
• Guided analysis of visual features and image sequencing using The Arrival by Shaun Tan
  
• Higher-order sequencing tasks requiring students to justify interpretations using visual evidence
  
• Built-in check-ins for learning to monitor understanding throughout the lesson
• A reflective exit ticket to inform next-step teaching and differentiation

Perfect for upper primary classrooms, this lesson sequence develops students' visual literacy, comprehension and analytical thinking. Students build confidence interpreting author intent, analysing multimodal texts and applying a transferable framework to a range of visual narratives.

Format: PDF

Aligned to Australian Curriculum Outcome: Explain how the sequence of images in print, digital and film texts has an effect on meaning (AC9E5LA07)