Introduction to Picturing Writing
April 2 and 9, 2026
Special Workshop Offering Hosted by Island Readers & Writers
Picturing Writing is an innovative, evidence-based approach to teaching writing designed to meet the needs of a wide range of learners. This highly scaffolded, multimodal approach gives students access to visual as well as verbal tools for developing and recording their ideas. Because pictures offer a universal language, Picturing Writing allows students to enter the reading/writing process from a position of strength and enthusiasm. It provides an enticing, alternative pathway into writing for multilingual learners and others who struggle with reading and writing.
The foundational Time of Day Workshop teaches the crayon resist painting process and how to read pictures to access detail and description. Participants are introduced to the brainstorming process used to develop academic language and the importance of choosing words that paint pictures in the reader’s mind. They will learn how to “make magic” by selecting just the right words (active verbs) to make their paintings come alive.
This introductory unit is a precursor to narrative writing. It teaches students how to develop a sense of setting, how to paint pictures with their words, and that when you turn the pages of a book, time passes. As students engage authentically with language and learn how to make their paintings “come alive,” they also learn the purpose of various parts of speech—in ways that are meaningful to those wishing to perform “The Magic Trick.”
This introductory level workshop lays the groundwork for more sophisticated Picturing Writing units of study later on.
No previous art experience necessary!
Registration deadline: March 19, 2026
Location: Your school or home (virtual)
When: Tuesday, April 2 and 9
Time: 3:30-5:30 PM ET
Registration/Art Materials Fee: $45
(art materials will be shipped to you)
Participants may order any of the following instructional materials:
MANUAL
PW Time of Day Teachers Manual of daily lessons (Masters included)
MENTOR TEXTS
used for teaching
The Sun’s Day and the Seasons by Beth Olshansky
The Sun’s Day by Beth Olshansky
MLL student sample
First grade student sample
K student sample
POSTERS
Time of Day poster
Time of Day northern poster
Artists/Writers Workshop poster
PW Artists Frame
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO PACKAGE
Words Make My Painting Come Alive
Instructional Video Package includes 168-minute instructional video, teachers manual, your choice of three Picturing Writing Time of Day mentor texts, both Time of Day posters, an Artist/Writers Workshop poster, and an Artists Frame.
While others talk about the need to provide diversely talented, struggling students an alternative to traditional methods to learning reading and writing, Beth Olshansky has built them a lifeboat.
– Emily Pike, Elementary Enrichment Specialist
Bernardsville, NJ
Every child, no matter his/her strengths, abilities or challenges, can be successful using Picturing Writing and Image-Making.
– Dr. Susan O’Connor
Director of Curriculum & Instruction
The Picturing Writing process is magical! Students are engaged, inspired, and motivated throughout each and every step! I have been amazed at how the words just flow for my students; the pictures come alive! Making time for PW is a gift that should be shared with all children!
– Janice Packard,
First grade teacher
Every writer can shine with this process. It enriches both the students who have a hard time with writing and the students who are already writers!
– Margaret Belowski,
7th grade ELA teacher
Picturing Writing has been a godsend process for our self-contained ELL classroom. It gives all our refugee and immigrant students a voice despite their diverse backgrounds. We have witnessed tremendous growth in all aspects of language development.
– Kristen Beakey and Donna Papanikolau, MLL Teachers
grades 3-5, Manchester, NH
Questions: Contact Beth at Beth.Olshansky@comcast.net or (603) 659-6018
Cancellation after deadline will be charged a $35 processing fee; Cancellation after workshop materials have been shipped will be charged $35 plus the cost of materials and shipping.