Picturing Writing Research-Based Animal Stories Workshop
Full Day Oct. 30 + 2 additional hours Oct. 29
Experience the power of working in pictures and words as students conduct research & develop a fact-based narrative. Address the Standards in a fresh, more inclusive way to reach your diverse learners.
The Picturing Writing Research-Based Animal Stories Unit engages students in informational and narrative reading and writing. Students conduct visual as well as written research on an animal of their choice, study narrative structure through analyzing image and text in quality picture books, and develop a fact-based storyline. Several simple texturing techniques provide students with a wide range of visual tools for adding detail to their stories. Students learn how to turn visual detail into descriptive language.
Storyboards, accordion folders, community word banks, and specially designed brainstorming sheets provide the scaffolding necessary to ensure a detailed, captivating story. Students learn how to bring their stories to life through the artful marriage of pictures and words.
Picturing Writing is an evidence-based approach to teaching writing that has been proven effective for a wide range of learners. Through the use of simple crayon resist art techniques, the study of quality picture books, and an on-going Artist/Writers Workshop, this innovative approach to literacy learning gives students access to multiple modalities for thinking and recording their ideas. It allows students to enter the reading/writing process from a position of personal strength and enthusiasm. Because pictures serve as a universal language, Picturing Writing provides an enticing alternative pathway into literacy learning for English Learners and others who struggle with writing.
No previous art experience necessary!
Registration deadline: October 13, 2025
Date: Oct. 29, 2025
Time: 8:30-10:30 PM ET
– AND –
Date: Oct. 30
Time: 8:30 AM-3:00 PM ET
Location: Virtual
Apply 50% off coupon for those
Affected By Cuts to Department of Education Funding.
Code: ABCDEF2025
(Includes teacher’s manual, 5 mentor texts, time of day poster, settings poster, artists’f frame, Artists/Writers Workshop poster and all workshop art materials shipped to you).
To include instructional video of lessons, add $100.
Graduate credit options through SNHU for workshop (1 credit for $150); additional credit options for implementation.
Email or call Beth for details.
*Up to 3 credits available.
*Change quantity in cart
Picturing Writing Classroom Kit options available: $555 for 20 students; $620 for 24 students (plus $45 S&H)
Kit for 20 Students
Kit for 24 Students
When I was working on my storyboard, I noticed that a story is like a piece of music. They both start off peaceful in the beginning. They get more exciting in the middle, and then get peaceful again at the end.
– Rhea, grade 3
When I was reading my story to the class, I was really thinking really hard and the pictures came out of my mind and then they just acted what I was reading.
– Jared, grade 2
I learned how to make my pictures come to life by using silver dollar words.
– Ayla, grade 3
The pictures sort of gave you all the right ideas to put in the sentence so it gave it a little more pzazz.
– Kelsey, grade 2
My dream come true was my book was done. I was excited for my book to be all done and I really wanted to read it.
– Chelsea, grade 2
Questions: Email Beth.Olshansky@comcast.net or call (603) 659-6018
Questions: Contact Beth at Beth.Olshansky@comcast.net or (603) 659-6018
Cancellations will be charged a $50 processing fee; Cancellation after workshop materials have been shipped will be charged $50 processing fee plus $150, the cost of materials plus S&H.