Capture your students’ interest with a draw and tell story, also known as draw tell. This type of visual storytelling has the reader draw symbolic pictures to represent a part of the story. At the end of the story the symbolic pictures create one picture that is central to the story. Classroom storytelling takes a new twist with the use of symbolic pictures.
Visual storytelling is not a new concept; it has been around since the start of cave drawings. You can even create a storytelling game to make the students more active in the story. As the reader, reads the story the students use the clues from the symbolic pictures to guess the final drawing.
A draw and tell story aids in the development of the students listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The students should have several draw and tell stories read before they try to create their own.
Keys to writing a good draw and tell story is to keep it simple. The pictures to represent a part of the story should be similar to cave drawings with basic shapes.
Draw Tell Reader
Before the reader, reads to the class they must know the story completely to be an excellent visual storyteller. The reader cannot be looking down at the book as they read, as the story can become jolted.
The reader needs to also prepare the symbolic pictures to be drawn and their placement on the paper. Have students practice on notepaper with a partner or a small group. As a continuation to this exercise they should practice on chart paper or the chalkboard to get comfortable drawing larger pictures.
Students present to the class and then they may share it with younger students in the school.
Writer of Draw Tell Story
A writer must first decide on the final drawing of the draw tell story. Once the draw tell drawing is crafted, the writer may begin to write a story around the different parts of the drawing.
The writer must create movement in the story if the picture is to be linked together. One of the characters may move from place to place via an assortment of transportation. The writer has 100% creativity with the storyline.
A Canadian draw and tell story creator is Richard Thompson; he has some great stories you can share with the class. His draw and tell stories are a great tool to teach students how to create this type of story.
Students should be given step by step instructions on how to create the story. Their first story might only have 3-5 shapes or lines to create the final picture. As they get comfortable with the process they can create another story or add to their first story.
