STEAM, Service Learning and Middle School Kids- What a Great Mix!
How do you get 7th and 8th graders excited about school? Give them voice and ownership over a service learning project and allow them to understand the impact … Read More
How to Use Visual Writing Prompts in Your Class.
Using visual writing prompts in your classroom will inspire your students to dig deep and come up with new and imaginative stories. But- the image you use is important if you … Read More
Illustrations of animals are a great way to encourage students to write.
There are so many ways to use writing prompts in class- why not use animals? The added benefit of using animals is that the writing may be fantasy, … Read More
We all like to be recognized- particularly when we work hard. It’s even better when that recognition comes from professional illustrators, AND your work is compared to that of Chris Van Allsburg!
Recently I was awarded Honorable Mention in a … Read More
I came across corndogart and immediately fell in love with the artwork and the possibilities that the images held.
I was honored to have my art chosen and used by the Young Writers Institute‘ in PA. M. E. Shenefiel is … Read More
What if the Big Bad Wolf was framed?
Twisted or “fractured” fairy tales are old, familiar fairy tales told with a twist. They challenge us to ask “what if”, through words and images. Writing and illustrating fractured fairy tales gives … Read More
Teaching students to make inferences is a core component of thinking critically. Using visual writing prompts encourages students to think divergently, and when given time to look and think about the image, students partake in debate about the meaning of … Read More
“Kids can’t think anymore,” is something I hear quite often in teaching. Between Common Core, governmental control over curriculum minutia, and parents who micro-manage, over-schedule and simply do too much for their kids, there is no time for children to … Read More
Looking for something to write about? Use my illustration, Vegetable Medley, to inspire your next story!
Use the following written story starters and incorporate one or more into your next amazing tale:
Whether you are an artist or a writer, staring at a blank page is nerve wracking. We are all looking to be inspired and excited about our craft. Using art- looking at it for characters, texture, setting and mood- can … Read More
