A directed drawing gives beginning writers a shared subject to talk about. Model the drawing in short steps, then invite children to make their own choices and write a sentence that adds information.
At a glance
Pause after each stroke, offer time for individual details, and rehearse the sentence before writing.
1. Show the finished subject
Look at a photo or drawing of the subject and name two features. If you are drawing a pumpkin, point to the stem and the curves in the skin.
2. Model one stroke at a time
Use a large guide and draw the first line slowly. Wait for children to find the same starting place before you move on.
3. Offer a smaller set of steps
Cover later steps with paper or provide a partial outline. Children can add one part at a time and see their progress.
4. Invite an individual detail
Ask children to add a background, label, or detail of their choice. Encourage them to explain what they added and why.
5. Turn the detail into writing
Let children say, dictate, or write a sentence. Ask a partner to point to the part of the drawing the sentence describes.
A classroom example
In a fictional first-grade class, River draws a pumpkin and adds rain. Her teacher asks what the rain does in the picture. River rehearses “Rain falls on my pumpkin” and writes the line below her drawing.
Companion printable
The 36-page PDF includes ten five-step pictures, each with a full-page guide and two student formats, plus a cover and reusable pages.
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