Illustrators!

So...I've been inspired in a new direction...again. A few weeks ago I shared my writing posters that encourage students to think about what they're going to write, say it out loud, write it down and go back and read what they wrote. After getting to know my students better I decided to make them illustrators before I made them writers. I wanted to alleviate the stress of using punctuation, correct spelling and grammar and instead have them tell stories with pictures only. I've gone so far as to say, "No words allowed!" Of course...that makes them want to write words more than anything which will help us transition into writers even more.

I came up with this phrase to assist students in making great picture choices:

1. Think it. (Think about the picture you're going to make. I usually give them a vague topic)
2. Plan it. (Plan how you'll make that picture. What kind of paper will you use? Where will you draw things on the page?)
3. Draw it. Draw your picture.
4. Tweak it. Tweak your picture. (Step back and look at your illustration. Decide if you need to add color, an object or anything to make it clearer for an observer)

Tomorrow we'll be adding words to an illustration we did today. I'll post posters to match my steps soon.