Critical Challenge – Grade 6

Investigating a Picture

Critical Challenges: / #1 When is this picture taking place? (Decode the Puzzle)
#2 What happened just before this picture was taken? (Decode the Puzzle)
#3 Write an effective story based on the picture. (Design to Specs, Perform to Specs) /
Curriculum Correlations: / Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to comprehend and respond personally and critically to oral, print and other media texts.
Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to manage ideas and information.
Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to respect, support and collaborate with others. /
Possible Criteria for an accurate guess:
  • Must be supported by all clues in and out of thepicture.
  • Must not be contradicted by any of the clues in or out of the picture.
Possible Criteria for an effective story:
  • Must be creative.
  • Must have a conflict and resolution.
  • Must be relatable (have relatable characters).
  • Must be supported by clues in the picture.

Assessments
Teacher observation during initial lesson, as well as critical challenges to assess whether or not students are able to:
-Work cooperatively in groups.
-Share collaboratively with class.
-Accept other points of view.
-Make a reasoned judgment.
-Identify clues and create conclusions based on the clues.
-Use strategies and skills to plan and write a story.
Resources
  • Charts on Smartboard, GoogleDocs, and/or on paper for students
  • Pictures to analyze
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Activity Steps (Procedure):
Building Background Knowledge(based on LearnAlberta.ca – Investigating Images)
  1. Review the terms “clues” and “conclusions”.
  2. Review chart used when analyzing cartoons.
  3. Do short game of charades to demonstrate clues and conclusions.
Critical Challenge #1
  • When is this picture taking place (time of day, day of the week, month, year)?
  1. Create/share criteria for an appropriate/accurate response.
  2. Show picture and give several minutes for students to study it.
  3. Students work in small groups to discuss clues and conclusions (using graphic organizer provided).
  4. Students present responses, with reasons/justification.
Critical Challenge #2
  • What happened just before this picture was taken?
  1. Create/share criteria for an appropriate/accurate response.
  2. Show picture and give several minutes for students to study it.
  3. Students work in partners to discuss clues and conclusions (using graphic organizer provided).
  4. Students present responses, with reasons/justifications.
Critical Challenge # 3
  • Write an effective story based on the picture.
  1. Have students think of their favourite stories and the characteristics of them.
  2. Create criteria for an effective story.
  3. Show story-starter picture and give several minutes for students to study it (possibly show several and have students choose).
  4. Have students work in partners or small groups to discuss the clues and possible conclusions found in the picture.
  5. Students plan and write a story based on the picture.
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