Integrating Writing and Drawing

Writing and Drawing
The Progression of Language Arts Skills

Drawing can be a useful tool to help develop speaking, reading and writing skills. The progression of language arts skills goes something like this:

Speech — Talk About the Drawing Talk with a child about their drawing. It may be the foundation for a conversation with a quiet child. For a talkative child, the drawing can be used to help focus their verbal skills. Prompt the conversation with questions, such as, Where is the bird flying? What is the boy doing? Is it a hot day or a cold day?

Letter Formation — Write the Letter Show the children how to correctly form and pronounce the letter. Combine blended letters, like “th”. Words — Write the Word Show the children how to correctly form and pronounce each letter in a word. Help them correctly space the letters. Sentences — Write Short Sentences Demonstrate how to write a short sentence, such as “Hens lay eggs.” Highlight the basic parts of a sentence:

• The first letter of the first word in a sentence is a capital letter.
• Spaces separate words.
• A period is at the end of the sentence.

As the children become more comfortable with writing, have them practice by copying two to four sentences. The Draw Write Now lessons have four short sentences. Change the sentence so that they are appropriate to the child’s skill level, but keep the sentences short and fairly simple. Self-Editing — For the Child Who Loves to Write Does the child love to write, but spelling and paragraph structure needs improvement? After the child writes about their drawing, have them select several sentences from the story, then correct any spelling or grammar errors in those sentences. EXTRA: The corrected sentences may be rewritten on a fresh sheet of paper, with the focus on the child using their best handwriting. The Child Who Does Not Want to Write

Have the child copy the sentences shown in the Draw Write Now lesson with you. Work for success, but push them a bit. If you know they can write one sentence, have them write one sentence plus one more short sentence. Lesson to lesson, increase the amount of writing. If they balk, use the coloring time as an incentive — remind them that you’ll bring out the crayons (or color pencils, watercolors, etc.) after the sentences are finished.

Composition — Write a Story About Your Drawing

The background drawing that the child adds can be very interesting and sometimes is the perfect writing prompt. As the child composes the story, allow them to write quickly to get their ideas on paper. This is not a time to stress careful handwriting!

Grammar Exercise After drawing a picture, provide the children with another sheet of paper and ask them to write all the nouns in their drawing. Another time, have them write all the verbs or all the adjectives. Write a Paragraph or Report Encourage independent research and study. Have the child write a paragraph or more about the subject they have just drawn. 

One parent’s approach is to bring out the Draw Write Now set of books, announce the theme, such as “spring”, then instructs her three boys to each choose a drawing lesson that makes them think of spring. Flipping through the books, they each choose a different one, such as a rabbit, a bird and a boat. After drawing their pictures, they write about the drawing with a springtime setting.

“It’s not hard to show a child how to form letters and write sentences. The challenge is motivating them to practice regularly and carefully.”— Marie Hablitzel
Tyler, age 5
“Demonstrate the relationship between speech and writing. Sit beside the child and ask them to tell you about their drawing. Write their story, then read the story back to the child, pointing to each word as you read.”— Kim Stitzer


Matthew, age 7

Examples of Handwriting Styles

Examples of Handwriting Styles

A handwriting style is a carefully designed, efficient way of forming letters and numbers, and each style has it’s own character or fits certain needs—understand the basics of handwriting styles. Compare handwriting styles:

Manuscript—Modern (D’Nealian)

Manuscript—Zaner-Bloser, Simple



Manuscript—Zaner-Bloser

Manuscript—Palmer


Manuscript—Handwriting Without Tears

Manuscript—Italic (Portland, Getty/Dubay)

Manuscript—New South Wales



Manuscript—Queensland

Manuscript—Victorian

Understand the basics of handwriting styles.
Compare the various handwriting styles.

The following samples of handwriting styles were created using Startwrite Handwriting Software. 

Cursive—Modern (D’Nealian)

Cursive—Zaner-Bloser, Simple

Cursive—Zaner-Bloser

Cursive—Palmer

Cursive—Handwriting Without Tears

Linked—Italic (Portland, Getty/Dubay)

Linked—New South Wales

Linked—Queensland

Linked—Victorian

New Site Design

Welcome to the new DrawYourWorld.com! Besides the new look, the site has:

• registration for setting up an account
• this blog to share information and hear from you
• a gallery to showcase the children’s artwork and writing
• easier navigation
• … and room to grow!

The site was created on Squarespace. It was just right! I was able to design and implement the site on my own with only basic HTML/CSS experience and no knowledge of Java. Many hurdles were conquered thanks to the Squarespace forum and CSS-Tricks.com by Chris Coyier. Gratitude also goes to my shopping cart guy, Mark at ASecureCart.com. We’ve been with them since 2006 and rely on their excellent customer service.

We’ll be working out the bugs over the next several weeks, then will focus on getting the videos in place. Thank you for your patience!
—Kim Stitzer

PREVIOUS Site Design

NEW Site Design

About Us: Marie Hablitzel

Marie Hablitzel became a school teacher in 1942 and quickly began integrating drawing instruction into her curriculum. Over the years, she continued to create unit studies and eventually had a lesson for each day of the school year. I remember entering her classroom, wondering what we would draw and learn about that day. I also recall thinking that the kids in her class were smart and that the work was hard—but, it was so much fun in her classroom! Yes, she was my favorite teacher.

See Marie’s Story.

Marie Hablitzel created the lessons in the Draw Write Now series.

Marie, Maryann, Kim (2001) Click the image to see Marie’s Story.

“When I see a child’s drawing…”

When I see a child's drawing. . .

Marie Hablitzel, my mother and co-author, passed away in February (2007). Everyone who knew her acknowledged her special way with children. It shone through in children’s artwork.Marie Hablitzel

In March, I returned home and was taking care of errands when I noticed a wall near the exit of the grocery store covered with cute children’s drawings of octopi. On my way out, I stopped to have a closer look, and realized, “Hey, that’s Mom’s octopus lesson from Book 6!” It picked up my spirits. Seeing those drawings would have been enough for me, but when I got to the bank, there were children’s colorful drawings of sunflowers in the foyer, a lesson from Book 3. Just a few blocks from the bank, the appliance store window was filled with drawings of the Gingerbread Boy, a lesson from Book 1. It was Youth Art Month and the retailers were displaying local school children’s artwork. The bank clerk had another explanation—the drawings were little angels all over town.

One of my brothers noted that the Draw Write Now series is a tribute to our mother’s many years in the classroom. I must add that when I see a child’s drawing, it’s a tribute to my mother and all the other teachers who put their heart and soul into helping children learn. I am forever thankful that her lessons have been shared with so many children, teachers and parents.

—Kim Stitzer

“Drawing a picture together gave everyone a chance to begin the day with a successful project. A new student, a child with weak reading skills, or one who didn’t understand English could follow along with me. Everyone could draw and write the short sentences.”
—Marie Hablitzel

About Us: Kim Stitzer

My mother and I published our first book 17 years ago. Looking back, neither of us had aspirations to become authors, but that’s what we ended up doing. It simply fell into place.

Our publisher had this photograph taken of us in 1994 for use in the Draw Write Now books. Just so it’s on record, Marie didn’t like the photo!

I loved being my children’s first teacher. I helped them learn to read, cook and write their names. But, when they asked me to show them how to draw a dog or a car, I fumbled or felt that I needed to prepare an art lesson so that I could “do it correctly”. Since I was short on time, the art books I bought were rarely used. My mother had drawn with me when I was a child, plus she was a school teacher, so I asked for her help. She mailed letters to us with simple drawing instructions. These letters were the inspiration for the Draw Write Now books. See Marie’s Story.

I am not a school teacher or a homeschool parent—my early work experience was in business and my children attended public schools. When I signed on as Marie’s coauthor, she was the experienced educator/artist and I was her assistant. She was the wise grandmother helping me deal with a three year-old child’s tantrums. Ever supportive, she shared what she knew, boosted my confidence and even claimed that she learned a few things from me.

Now, as I approach my 55th birthday, it’s nice to look back and see that I’ve grown and to know that my experience and knowledge helps other parents, teachers and homeschool parents. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with my mother and pass along her insight and techniques.

Kim Stitzer is coauthor of the Draw Write Now series and creator of the Draw Your World website. See also:

Starting with a Sketch

About Us: Draw Your World

Draw Your World provides lessons, tips and supplies to help parents and teachers teach drawing and writing to children. The site highlights the work of authors Marie Hablitzel and Kim Stitzer.

Location
We are near Seattle in the town of Poulsbo, WA on the Kitsap Peninsula.

Contact
Draw Your World, PO Box 818, Keyport, WA 98345 USA
Phone: 360-779-8089
FAX: 360-779-7531
info -at- drawyourworld -dot- com

Retail
Our sales are primarily online. We have a few part-time workers and work out of Kim Stitzer’s home. If you call, Kim will most likely answer the phone. At times, we travel to conventions or conferences, but currently have that on hold.

Wholesale

Retailers, please consider adding the Draw Write Now book series to your store or catalog. We are the authors of the series—it’s best to contact our publisher, Barker Creek Publishing, (800) 692-5833. Tell them Kim sent you!

Our Business Name
Our name, Draw Your World, comes from a phrase Marie Hablitzel used when she encouraged children to add a background to their pictures.

These logo images may be used when linking to our site:

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