2023 Picturing Writing Summer Institute

Read more about our Summer Institute!

Picturing Writing: Fostering Literacy Through Art® is an innovative, evidence-based approach to teaching writing 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 highly scaffolded, multimodal approach gives students access to visual as well as verbal tools for rehearsing, drafting and revising their writing. Picturing Writing allows students to enter the reading/writing process from a position of strength and enthusiasm. 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 English Learners and others who struggle with reading and writing.

This year’s virtual summer institute will include writing in 5 genres: descriptive writing, informative writing, poetry, inquiry-based poetry, and inquiry-based narrative. All units can be easily aligned with grade-level English Language Arts Standards and integrated across the curriculum. Supported by best practices and three decades of independent research, Picturing Writing captivates the hearts and minds of young readers and writers while addressing critical literacy skills.

Join originator Beth Olshansky virtually each day to experience the process firsthand. All workshop art and instructional materials will be shipped directly to you. A classroom art materials kit can be included as part of the summer institute fee. Graduate credit options are available through Southern New Hampshire University for the Summer Institute with options for additional credit.

No previous art experience necessary!