Or download our app "Guided Lessons by Education.com" on your device's app store.
Kids often have a difficult time adding detail and description to their stories. Comparing the process of writing to drawing a picture can help kids understand the importance of using detail and description in their story. This activity will help your child "see" how to improve stories.
What You Need:
- A story that your child is currently working on writing
- A blank piece of paper
- Crayons or colored pencils
What You Do:
- Use a black crayon to draw a large rectangular frame about two inches wide on the perimeter of the blank paper. In the width of the frame, write the following question words, spreading them out so that they look like artsy decorations on the frame: Who? What? Why? How? When? Where? What colour? How big?
- Read your child’s story aloud to her. As you read, have her illustrate her story in the blank space in the centre of the frame. Tell her she can only draw what she hears you read in the story.
- When you’re finished, discuss the drawing with your child. What’s missing in the picture? What details could be added that would make the story in the picture more interesting? If she needs ideas, refer to the question words that you wrote earlier in the width of the frame.
- As she adds details to her drawing, have her use words to describe the details to you aloud.
- Then, have her go back to her story, and write these extra details.
- Finally, turn the completed drawing over, face down, and read your child’s improved story aloud to her again. Ask her to picture her story in her head as you read it aloud. Say, “Can you picture it?” Then turn over the picture, and ask her to decide if the picture in her head matches the picture on the paper. If she feels they match each other well, she can trust that she has added ample detail to her story!
Related learning resources
Winter Writing Activity
Worksheet
Winter Writing Activity
Here's a great activity to get your second grader's mind going and creativity in action! He'll write a story to go with the picture and even get to colour too.
Year 3
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Can You Keep a Secret?
Science project
Can You Keep a Secret?
Stories change as you retell them. The objective of this science fair project is to demonstrate how information gets interpreted, distorted and changed.
Year 2
Science
Science project
Happy Birthday to You!
Activity
Happy Birthday to You!
This colorful cupcake craft is a great party activity. What's more, it can also be a good way to help you keep track of kid's birthdays.
Year 3
Arts & crafts
Activity
Creative Writing for Kids: Freeze Time
Worksheet
Creative Writing for Kids: Freeze Time
Complete this creative writing activity by writing a paragraph describing what you would do if you had the power to freeze time!
Year 3
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Can You Draw Peter Pan?
Worksheet
Can You Draw Peter Pan?
This picture of Neverland is missing one thing: the leader of the Lost Boys, Peter Pan!
Year 3
Worksheet
Complete the Picture
Worksheet
Complete the Picture
Give your child creative control of her next work of art with this cute coloring activity. She'll complete the picture herself!
Year 3
Worksheet
Picture Fractions #4
Worksheet
Picture Fractions #4
With this visual fraction worksheet, your child can see a few simple fractions in picture form.
Year 3
Maths
Worksheet
Christmas Cookies Writing Prompt
Worksheet
Christmas Cookies Writing Prompt
Can you smell the Christmas cookies in the oven? Warm up your child's writing skills with this Christmas cookies writing prompt.
Year 2
Worksheet
Planet Activity Placemat
Worksheet
Planet Activity Placemat
This activity allows you to learn a fact about each one of our nine planets. colour in the planets then turn the worksheet into a fun and educational placemat.
Year 3
Science
Worksheet
Make a Sandcastle You Can Keep!
Activity
Make a Sandcastle You Can Keep!
Help your child make a beautiful homemade sandcastle that will last!
Year one
Science
Activity
Easter Writing Prompt
Worksheet
Easter Writing Prompt
Can you imagine what it's like to be the Easter Bunny? Get your child in the Easter mood with this fun writing prompt!
Year 3
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Can You Dig It: Rocks and Soil
Workbook
Can You Dig It: Rocks and Soil
...Can You Dig It: Rocks and Soil
Get your hands dirty in the name of science!...
Year 3
Reading & Writing
Workbook
See this activity in a set:
Year three Storytelling Activities