Picturing Writing Summer Institute 2026

Join originator Beth Olshansky to experience the Picturing Writing and Image-Making processes firsthand. Take a deep dive into the dynamic relationship between pictures and words across multiple genres and mediums. Learn proven methods to engage your wide range of learners while advancing their writing as well as reading skills. Experience many unique layers of scaffolding afforded by this rich visual/verbal approach. Witness for yourself “the magic” of bringing words and pictures together; then learn how to teach your students how to make their pictures “come alive.”

In my story, when I read it to the class, the animals came to life out of thin air! – Jared, grade 2

Picturing Writing: Fostering Literacy Through Art® is an innovative, evidence-based approach to teaching writing designed to meet the needs of your diverse 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 developing and recording their ideas. Image-Making Within The Writing Process® offers a collage-based approach using hand-painted papers to literally construct meaning prior to writing. Because pictures offer a universal language, Picturing Writing and Image-Making allow students to enter the reading/writing process from a position of strength and enthusiasm. They provide an enticing, alternative pathway into writing for English Learners and others who struggle with written text.

The picture has a lot of details which helps me write, so I can write more detailed things. – Oolena, grade 5

This year’s virtual summer institute offers several registration options to better accommodate individual needs. Teachers can still sign up for the much-loved weeklong intensive, exploring writing across multiple genres in ways that will transform your teaching practice. Those who have already taken an Intro to PW can sign up for the more advanced PW unit or dip your toes into an introductory Image-Making poetry unit.

Picturing Writing and Image-Making are easily aligned with grade-level ELA Standards while also incorporating content area curriculum. Supported by best practices and decades of independent research, these unique proven practices offer concrete visual tools to ensure students’ success.

No previous art experience necessary!

Listen to teacher reflections.

Writing used to be hard for me, but now it’s easy. All I have to do is look at each picture and describe some things I see. Now writing is my favorite part of school.
– David, grade 2

When I paint first, it helps me so I can see every detail that’s there so I can write about it.
– Sammie, grade 5

I learned that when I was starting to write, my technique in my writing keep getting better and better from the silver dollar words helping me.
– Devan, grade 3