Creating creative images to support creative writing

Getting the first word written: using funny pictures

Creative Resources for primary children| Education

June 24, 2024•3 min read

“Not only are bloggers suckers for the remarkable, so are the people who read blogs.” - Seth Godin

Let me introduce you to one of my favourite games

I call it “Funny Pictures.” Have you heard of it? Here's how it works:

1. The first person draws a head at the top of a piece of paper.

2. Then, they fold the paper over so the next person can’t see the head and they draw the body.

3. The paper is folded again, and the first person (or a third person) draws the legs and feet.

When you open the paper, you get a really random picture of a person, creature, alien, thing.

After creating the image, I have a set of instructions numbered 1 to 6:

1. Write a sentence containing 2 adjectives to describe the image.

2. Say what the character likes to do using an adverb.

3. Write a prepositional sentence to explain where the character is.

4. Write a sentence using a common noun.

5. Create a simile.

6. Use alliteration to describe the character.

We roll a dice to decide the order of the sentences. At the end, we read our sentences to each other.

This game helps us think creatively and practice writing different types of sentences. It’s always a hit. If you try it out, I’d love to see your quirky images and the sentences you come up with (they don’t need to be artistic masterpieces, just quick sketches).

Funny pictures: The creative drawing game that helps you to write!

1. Just write what you see

For some children it will be sufficient to just think of any words that they can to describe the picture, so the more interesting the image is the better. It doesn't need to be the next Van Goff, but neither does it want to be a stick person as that will restrict what you can write.

2. Are you sitting comfortably: if you are, let the story begin

If your goal is to actually write a story, use this inspiration, either from the prescribed sentence suggestions or from the brain dump as your inspiration for your story. Use these as your first words, start the story with a descriptive statement: He had 5 green eyes and a nose the length of the Nile! It's powerful and you're off!

Enjoy the game, enjoy the time with your children, and let's get writing some really impressive descriptive stories.

Our goal at Clara James Tutoring is to make learning fun and accessible to everyone. If children are engaged in what they are doing they are more likely to want to participate, if they are enjoying it, they are more likely to relax and retain the information.

If they are retaining the information it will help boost their knowledge and with knowledge comes confidence.

If you have a child who enjoys learning through games and being more creative, and you enjoy spending time with them, you might be interested in the Clara James Approach, the membership group we have put together to support you in supporting your primary school aged child with their maths and English.

Interested?

Click here to learn more: The Clara James Approach

Dawn Strachan

For the past 20+ years I have been a firm believer that learning should be an enjoyable experience. I appreciate that traditionally education has revolved around worksheets, textbooks, listening to teachers. But a grounding in early years and working with children who had a variety of learning styles from I learned that it is an individual activity that is personal to all of us. We don’t all learn in the same way. Our influences, our experiences, our capabilities all influence how we retain information. But through it all, I believe that if we can make it enjoyable and engaging, they will want to participate. With participation comes practice which in turn boosts skill and confidence. With an increase in skill and confidence comes a willingness to have a go. This in turn leads to more practice which leads to a positive spiral of success. The moral, we need to make learning fun, engaging, use a range of techniques.

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