Writer’s Workshop Illustration Study! We have been using mentor texts to learn the qualities of writing in our kindergarten class. Specifically, we are looking at the work of illustrators.
I have fallen in love with Katie Wood Ray’s book, In Pictures and in Words. It is about teaching writing through illustration study… Perfect for emergent writers!!
We decided to look at some of our favorite books to launch this study. When I model my writing (drawing), I have always drawn with a black marker. Then used crayons to color. So I have asked my students to draw the picture in pencil. Then they can color with their crayons.
Then I asked my students to give it a try during writing time.
Left: This child wrote about a bike ride he took at night. Then he explained to me that stars come in many colors. (Yes, that totally happened).
Right: Princesses go shopping! [Well, of course, they do!]
Left: Roasting marshmallows… naturally in high heels!
Right: Sometimes princesses go to the jewelry store. [No additional comment needed.]
After our first day, I saw an elevation in the care my students took with their illustrations. I can’t wait to see the progression of their illustrations over the next few weeks.
Since I LOVE talking about writing, I have a few (dozen) blog posts about writing.
Deanna Jump and I have created simple, yet powerful daily lesson plans to teach writers workshop. We have taken the guesswork out of your instruction.
Each unit is carefully planned out.
And it walks you through each day’s lesson.
You can shop our writing curriculum below:
My teaching career allowed me to experience teaching in different classroom environments and grades. My heart belongs to early childhood education. My job is to make teaching FUN, ENGAGING, and EASIER. Welcome!
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5 Responses
Deedee… you are AMAZING! This is just what I need for my kiddos!
THANK YOU!
I teach 3rd, but this year I have really been focusing on pointing out the illustrations and the roles they play in the book. My favorite books for this are Duck on a Bike and the Diary series by Doreen Cronin. Do you think this book would be useful for older grades or is it really just aimed at primary students?
❤Jodi from…
★★The Clutter-Free Classroom★★
Helping Teachers Get Organized
Thanks Jessica!
Jodi, I think this is a wonderful book that is great for older kids. It is great for teaching some of the 6 + 1 Traits: Voice "Goodness No" and "It's all good". Organization, repeating text, sentence structure, and presentation also come to mind. Plus… it is fun!
We use Lucy Calkins K-5 in our building and by 2nd grade, they've already had the same stuff for two years, so instead of doing her first book, Launching Writing Workshop, we do an illustration unit based on Katie Wood Ray's geniosity. It serves to "launch" the writing workshop, set up the standard practice of investigating authors and illustrators more deeply, and gives support to those writers who need a little bit more time to get writing.
❤ Karen
Flamingo Fabulous in Second Grade
What a great unit of study! I adore Katie Wood Ray-she has the most wonderful ideas for writing with young students. I bought this book last year when it came out since I love her other books so much, but I just haven't had time to read it yet. You've motivated me! Your students' illustrations have great details and I love the idea of using Pete the Cat as a mentor text in writing workshop.
~Meredith
Keen on Kindergarten