Sketch to Stretch

Purpose:

To encourage nonverbal response; to provide a framework for interpretive

discussion of text.

Materials:

Any

Procedures:

1. Students read (or listen).

2. The teacher asks students to make quick sketches (realistic or symbolic) of

something related to the text that they found interesting, important, etc.

(Note: The teacher should announce and enforce a 3-minute time limit so that

“art anxiety” doesn’t affect students. The teacher may also want to remind

students that they can make graphs or other symbolic representations rather

than pictures.)

3. Small groups (3-5 people) assemble. One at a time, group members show

their sketches to others. Each student invites others to provide an

interpretation of the sketch: “What is this a picture of?” “What do you think I

found important/ interesting in the story?” After others give their interpretations,

the illustrator is free to comment on the sketch.