Using Picture Books to Teach Writing
Using From Pictures to Words and other Books as Mentor Texts
Apr 20, 2009
Teaching the process of writing to elementary age students is a challenging task. Students are used to writing a story down, handing in the paper, and never looking back. In order to get students to revisit their writing, teachers are actively teaching the process of writing. Using picture books to teach this process can help the students see that all authors go through these same basic steps when writing books.
A Book that Models the Thinking Process
If You Were a Writer by Joan Lowery Nixon and illustrated by Bruce Degan, [First Aladdin Paperback, 1995] gives students a peek into the life of a writer. The mother in this book is a writer and her daughter has many questions about how she goes about writing a story. Teachers can read this book to the class and use it to facilitate discussions about where writers get ideas, how they chose words, and how they chose a beginning for their stories.
Writing from the Point of View of and Illustrator
Another useful picture book for teaching the process of writing is From Pictures to Words by Janet Stevens [Holiday House, 1995]. In this creative tale, the main character is an illustrator. She carries on animated discussions with all of the characters that live in her imagination. The characters talk her into writing a story about some of them. The illustrator demonstrates that for her, it is easier to start with pictures and then add the words. This lively book demonstrates choosing characters, setting, problem, and solution all with humor and imagination. This is great for those kids that still need the support of pictures before they can write.
What are the Reasons to Write?
Written Anything Good Lately by Susan Allen and Jane Lindaman Millbrook Press, 2006] is a wonderful picture book written in the format of an ABC book that demonstrates some of the many reasons writers write. It is illustrated by Vicky Enright. This is a way to introduce writing at the beginning of the year. You can read the book to the students and have them brainstorm even more reasons that people write everyday. You could easily add an activity where groups of students come up with their own ABC book of reasons to write.
There are many ways to use picture books to teach writing. These ideas are not just for the youngest writers, but rather they are applicable to all ages. Many high school teachers use picture books to jump-start the thinking even at that level. Picture books are just one more resource to help students focus on the process of writing.
