Decoding: Look at the picture
Basics on the topic Decoding: Look at the picture
Decoding – Picture Reading Strategy
Sometimes during reading, we come to words we do not know. There are lots of ways to figure it out. When we use a strategy, or plan, to read out a word, it's called decoding. There are a lot of ways to decode, or figure out words we don't know. One way is known as the picture of support reading strategy. Pictures show us what the words say on the page. So, they can also help us make good guesses about words we do not know!
Let’s learn more about the picture word association reading strategy and how to apply it with the following explanation.
Decoding as a Picture Reading Strategy – Example
How do you apply the picture reading strategy? To use the elementary reading strategy, picture cues, read a sentence with a difficult, or unknown, word. As an example we will try this sentence: Eat the seeds. The word we want to find here is seeds. The picture above the sentence helps us to learn how to read the word seeds.
First, let's look at the picture and think about what we see. The picture shows a bird feeder with seeds.
Next, we can look at the first letter of the difficult word and think: what sound does s make? it says /s/! What is in the picture that makes the same sound? Seeds are in the picture!" The word 'seeds' start with a /s/ sound too!
Now we can make a good guess about what the unknown word could be. It could be seeds!
Finally, we try out our word in the sentence to see if it makes sense! Eat the seeds. It makes sense so seeds is most likely the difficult word.
Decoding as a Picture Reading Strategy – Summary
Decoding is a strategy to learn how to read and say difficult words. For this, you often see text together with a picture. You can use the picture to decode the difficult words in the sentence. In order to use the picture reading strategy, follow the steps listed below:
| Step # | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | First, look at the picture first and think about what you see. |
| 2 | Next, look at the first letter of the word and think: what sound does it make? Is there anything in the picture that starts with the same sound? |
| 3 | Then, guess a word that would make sense. |
| 4 | Finally, try out your word in the sentence to see if it works! |
Have you practiced yet? On this website, you can also find interactive exercises, worksheets and more activities on decoding as a picture reading strategy.
Transcript Decoding: Look at the picture
After a long hike, Dee and Kala decided to stop for a bite to eat! They were excited to order... but when they opened their menus, there were a lot of difficult words! Let's help Dee and Kala by teaching them about, “Decoding:Look at the Picture!” Sometimes during reading, we come to words we do not know. This is okay! There are lots of ways to figure it out. When we use a strategy, or plan, to read out a word, it's called decoding. There are a lot of ways to decode, or figure out, words we don't know, but today we will use pictures to help. Pictures show us what the words say on the page. They can also help us make good guesses about words we do not know! Let's try it! Here it says: eat the hmm that last word is difficult. First, let's look at the picture and think about what we see. The picture shows a bird feeder with seeds. Next, we can look at the first letter of the difficult word and think: what sound does S make? It says /s/! What is in the picture that makes the same sound? Seeds are in the picture!" The word 'seeds' start with a /s/ sound too! Now we can make a good guess about what the word could be. It could be seeds! Finally, we should try out our word in the sentence to see if it makes sense! Eat the seeds. Yes, that makes sense! Now let's try it with Dee! "This is a jug." Hmm, Dee doesn't know this word. So he should look at the picture first and think about what he sees, "I see a jug filled with water." Next, he should look at the first letter, W, and think about the sound it makes, "W says /w/." Water also starts with /w/, so Dee should try the word water in the sentence. "This is a water jug. Yes, it makes sense!" Now, let's help Kala! "Yum, get the bug, hmm." Kala doesn't know this word. First, look at the picture: what do you see? "I see a ladybug sandwich!" Next, look at the first letter: what sound does it make? "S says /s/." Sandwich has the same beginning sound, so try sandwich in the sentence. "Yum, get the bug sandwich. Yes, it makes sense!" While Dee and Kala decide on their orders, let's remember! Today we learned how to use pictures to read difficult words since they show us what the words say on a page. When you come to a difficult word, look at the picture first and think about what you see. Then, look at the first letter of the word and think: what sound does it make? Is there anything in the picture that starts with the same sound? Then, guess a word that would make sense. Finally, try out your word in the sentence to see if it works! "Look, Dee! Here comes the waiter with our salads!" Hay now! Those don't look like any salads I've ever ordered!
Decoding: Look at the picture exercise
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What can we look at to help us figure out tricky words when reading?
HintsSometimes during reading, we come across words we do not know. We should always try to figure the words out.
To figure these words out, we can use a reading strategy called “decoding.”
SolutionLooking at the picture in a book can help us figure out words we don't know!
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Decode the word.
HintsSound the word out.
SolutionDee and Kala are reading a book.
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How can pictures help you decode when reading?
HintsSolutionThese pictures can help you decode the underlined words.
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Which picture matches the word?
HintsWhat sound does this word start with?
This is a plate.
SolutionThis is a plant.
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Which sentence best matches the picture?
HintsWhat are Dee and Kala doing in this picture?
What sound does "b" make?
What is in the picture that makes the same sound?SolutionDee and Kala like to bake.
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How can pictures help us when reading?
HintsFirst, look at the picture.
What do you see?SolutionKala eats a salad.
Kala eats pancakes.
Dee eats a sandwich.
Dee eats fruits.
