Overview

Students work in pairs, sitting back-to-back. One partner reads an extract aloud, pausing at each sentence, while the other draws the scene as it unfolds. They then swap roles with a different extract. Afterward, students compare their drawings, noting similarities and differences in their visualisations of the same text.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Pair students and have them sit back-to-back so they cannot see each other's paper.
2. Distribute Extract A to Partner 1 (the reader) only.
3. Partner 1 reads the extract aloud, pausing at the end of each sentence to give Partner 2 time to draw what they hear.
4. When the extract is finished, partners turn around and compare the drawing with the original text. Discuss: What matched? What was different? Why?
5. Swap roles. Distribute Extract B to Partner 2, who now reads while Partner 1 draws.
6. Compare again. Facilitate a class discussion about how different readers form different mental images from the same words.

Tips

• Choose short, vivid passages with strong imagery — 4–8 sentences is ideal.
• Remind students to read slowly and pause clearly between sentences.
• The comparison discussion is where the real learning happens — allow time for it.

More Visualising Activities