Drawing Stories

Overview

The Drawing Stories activity engages students in creating visual representations of stories they have read or heard. Students use drawing as a way to demonstrate comprehension, visualize narrative elements, and express their understanding of characters, settings, and plot. This activity helps students develop their visualization skills, deepen their comprehension of texts, and explore creative ways to represent and communicate their understanding.

Learning Objectives

• Develop visualization skills by creating mental images from text
• Demonstrate comprehension of story elements through artistic representation
• Enhance recall and sequencing of narrative events
• Express understanding of character traits, settings, and plot through visual means
• Connect visual and written forms of storytelling

Materials Needed

• Drawing paper (white or colored)
• Coloring supplies (crayons, colored pencils, markers)
• Story books or prepared stories to read aloud
• Story sequence frames (optional)
• Sample drawings to use as models (optional)

Preparation

1. Select age-appropriate stories with vivid descriptions and clear narrative structure
2. Prepare drawing materials and ensure each student has access to supplies
3. Create a display area for sharing completed work
4. Prepare story sequence frames if using them (divided paper for beginning, middle, end)
5. Set up a comfortable area for reading aloud or listening to stories

Activity Steps

1. Introduction (5 minutes):
   • Explain that good readers create pictures in their minds as they read
   • Discuss how illustrators help readers understand stories through pictures
   • Share that students will be creating their own illustrations for a story
2. Story Presentation (10 minutes):
   • Read a story aloud to students or have them read independently
   • For read-alouds, avoid showing illustrations initially to encourage visualization
   • Pause at key moments to ask students what they're picturing in their minds
   • After reading, discuss important story elements (characters, setting, problem, solution)
3. Drawing Activity (10 minutes):
   • Distribute drawing materials to students
   • Instruct students to draw their favorite part of the story or a sequence of events
   • Encourage inclusion of important details from the text
   • Circulate and provide support, asking questions to prompt deeper thinking
4. Sharing and Discussion (5 minutes):
   • Have students share their drawings with partners or small groups
   • Ask students to explain why they chose to draw that particular scene
   • Compare different interpretations of the same story
   • Display drawings in the classroom or compile into a class book

Differentiation

Assessment

Observe and note students' abilities to:

• Include key story elements in their drawings
• Represent characters and settings accurately based on text descriptions
• Demonstrate understanding of the story's sequence and plot
• Explain their artistic choices and connect them to the text
• Show attention to detail and evidence of visualization

Extensions

• Add captions or short paragraphs to accompany drawings
• Create a class book with illustrations from the same story
• Compare student drawings with the illustrator's pictures (if available)
• Use drawings as storyboards for dramatic reenactments
• Create a gallery walk where students view and comment on each other's work

Variations