Picturing Writing Program at Main Street School

A few years ago Main Street School participated in a Comprehensive School Reform Grant for writing. The school applied for this grant to develop a new writing program. This program uses methods developed by Beth Olshansky in two nationally validated research programs, Picturing Writing: Fostering Literacy Through Art and Image Making Within The Writing Process. In these programs, children use visual tools to develop their ideas and expand their language concepts in writing.

Beth Olshansky works with students creating their pictures.

 

Each lesson begins  by sharing a piece of literature that is used to teach a literary element, such as setting, plot or character development, and use of descriptive language. Children then use simple crayon resist art techniques to create a picture. Children then brainstorm “silver dollar words” to describe their pictures. Pictures and words are shared orally. During this verbal rehearsal, children share their thinking and collaborate on the ideas that will enhance their writing. Vocabulary and language can also be enriched as children listen to the words and ideas that their classmates have chosen. After sharing orally, children write about their pictures. Within this supportive structure, children’s writing improves.

Teacher Kathy Bean encourages a child to problem-solve the dilemma in his book.

 

In the first year of the grant, all staff members (classroom teachers, Title I tutors, Special Education staff and aides) were trained in Picturing Writing and Image Making. Parent volunteers were also trained to support the process. Children were taught the basic techniques involved in the programs.

 

During Years Two and Three of the grant, the goal was to integrate art and literature based writing lessons into the content areas. The Main Street School uses a thematic approach to teach Social Studies and Science. Themes are designed to incorporate reading in tradebooks, writing, and scientific method to allow for an integrated approach to learning. Beth Olshansky worked with teachers at each grade level to develop specific writing mini-lessons to incorporate into these themes. This program offers visual and at-risk learners more opportunities to succeed in the content areas.

 

Beth Olshansky is the developer of Picturing Writing: Fostering Literacy Through Art and Image Making Within the Writing Process. A visual and kinesthetic learner herself, she has spent the last decade in the classroom devoted to creating an approach to literacy learning that enables all children to succeed. To find out more about the Picturing Writing Program, you may contact The Picturing Writing Office. Beth is based at the Laboratory for Interactive Learning at the University of NH (603-862-3691).  You can access additional information about Picturing Writing at their website.