After reflecting on Yenowine's article and the experience of VTSing the image I chose, I think the image was accessible. The boys were able to identify most of the main components of the picture right away, and some even made the connection with Moby Dick, the story to which this illustration refers. Yet there were a number of interpretations as to why these men were out in a life boat which was clearly being thrashed by a whale. Were they trying to capture the whale? To free him from tangled ropes? Was more help being dispatched from the main boat? So I think there were also enough levels of interpretation and expressive content to prompt discussion. There is certainly plenty of narrative here.
Interestingly enough, a lot of the conversation was focused on what appear to be some faint movement lines around the whale. One student thought they indicated a tornado which might be going on, perhaps causing all this upheaval. From there, there was much discussion and debate about this possible tornado scenario. This line of discussion did, however, lead to one example of vocabulary scaffolding. One student identified this possible whether pattern as a "twister". Another student responded by clarifying that a tornado over water is often called a "water spout". I was surprised by how much time we spent debating this point when there is so much action it this picture, but I am often surprised by what the boys hone in on.
I would certainly use this image again. The discussion was lively and I think it could have continued to go on if we'd had more time.
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