In Pictures and in Words Book Study Part 1

Deedee Wills kicked off our book study and she did such a great job that I just want to add a few little snippits.  By sharing some pictures of student writing from my classroom.   One thing that really stood out to me in this book is the idea that it is OKAY to slow down and take our time.  Writers don't have to jump right in and start writing "words" to create meaning.  Each time they pick up a pencil or a crayon they are making meaning through their illustrations.  I'm excited about really zooming in on book illustrations and lingering over the pages just a little bit longer in my writers workshop lessons.  Here are a few pictures of times when my little writers told a story through their pictures. 

This one says, Mrs. Jump is beautiful. 

This little guy did such a great job with his illustrations that you would have totally known exactly what he was writing about.  I mean, Hello?  I think that looks exactly like me.  Don't you?

The cutest part of this story is that when I conferenced with this little friend I said,

"Can you tell me about your writing?"  and he turned to me and put one hand on each of my cheeks and he looked in my eyes and said,  "Mrs.  Jump, you are so beautiful." 

Be still my heart.  I LOVE this little guy!

I said,  "Oh, that is so sweet.  Thank you!"

I wish the story ended there because that is a beautiful story I tell you (that's my inner Junie B. talking).  But like any little man in training he just didn't know when to end it. 

 So....I'm sad to say he followed up with, "Yeah, I just love all those little wrinkles by your eyes."

Sigh....sadsville.

This one is from a reading response activity where they wrote aout The Gingerbread Girl. 

Her meaning is clear by looking at the illustrations.

We can tell that she is telling us about the Little Gingerbread Girl riding on the back of the fox. 

In the book Katie Wood Ray states that when we teach through illustrations children are encouraged to linger longer wil illustrations, to use color and other media to make meaning, and to expand what the words say by intentionally composing with illustrations. 

My friend Deedee gives a more in depth summary of the first 6 chapters of the book.  You can read her post by clicking HERE.