Talking, Drawing, Writing: Chapter 3-Drawing

Chapter three focuses attention on helping children be detailed in their drawings. Modeling plays a HUGE role in helping students learn how to draw so that their drawings provide meaning for the reader. I couldn’t help but thing about the vocabulary building opportunities that were provided to the students in the example of Megan Sinclair’s kindergarten classroom. Instead of just learning the word eye, Mrs. Sinclair used the words iris and pupil, describing their purpose to the students during her modeling while drawing the eye. This vocabulary building activity will later have such a positive influence on student reading and writing.

Drawing is so important for young writers for so many reasons…

1.  Drawing is how young writers understand and give meaning.

2.  Drawing gives students an outlet to be heard. Even a struggling students would be able to draw what he knows. This would be so powerful to help our struggling students feel successful.

3.  Drawing gives students an opportunity to develop language.

4.  Drawing gives students a chance to go deeper into their stories. A young writer may only be able to write, “I went to the park”. However, in their drawings, the students could give so much more information.

5.  Drawing will help students learn the craft of writing. Drawing gives students a starting place for their writing.

I can’t wait to get back to school and let my new kinders show what they know through their drawings. I know this is going to be a great year!