Art Videos: Writing Lessons
School Year 2020.2021
Methow Arts teaching artists have created videos to help students build a foundation in the literary arts. The videos on this page focus on literary arts lessons. These lessons in these videos are intended to be facilitated by a teacher, parent, or other adult. Let us know what you think.
Find more art activities, lessons and inspirations from us at Methow Arts by CLICKING HERE.
We’d love see your writing! Please send us scans at info@methowartsalliance.org. Thank you. Click HERE to read writing samples submitted by students.
K-2nd grade WRITING LESSONS
Two-Word Poem (grades K-3+)
Classroom teachers, homeschool teachers, and remote parent teachers alike will have fun facilitating this two-word poem lesson with students. Designed by educator Anne Andersen, the lesson can be centered on any theme and can be expanded by simply adding additional words. (literary arts)
Materials: paper/journal, pencil/pen
Neighborhood Map (grades 2-3)*
Most authors recommend “Write what you know.” Anne Andersen helps you write a piece that focuses on things you know and things you’ve experienced. (literary arts)
*We suggest participating in this video in two or three sessions.
Materials: paper, pencil/pen
Holiday Heart Maps/Poems (all ages/family)
Teaching artist Anne Andersen shows you how to map the things you hold dear in your heart, using a lesson from poet Georgia Heard as inspiration. This could be a meaningful family activity during the holidays. (visual & literary art)
Materials: something to write on & something to write with (optional–markers, crayons, or colored pencils)
When I was Young writing lesson (grades 2-3)
Anne Andersen guides you through memoir writing–a writing exercise that asks you to draw on your own memories. (literary arts)
Materials: pencil/pen, paper
3rd-6th grade WRITING LESSONS
I Can Fly (a writing lesson for grades 3-6)
Designed to accompany the Faith Ringgold art lesson we published recently
(on YouTube or Vimeo), “I Can Fly” is a writing lesson to be facilitated by teachers or homeschool leaders. Teaching artist and educational coach Anne Andersen takes you through the lesson plan.
First, watch Faith Ringgold reading “Tar Beach” HERE. You may also want to do the visual art lesson related to the book, on YouTube or Vimeo, before participating in the writing lesson.
Materials: pencil/pen, paper
Persona Writing (grades 3+)
Educator Anne Andersen guides you through writing from the perspective of something that is not a person, using “Sierra” by Diane Siebert as a mentor text.
Materials: paper/journal, pencil/pen
Erasure Poem (grades 4-6+)
Poet Subhaga Crystal Bacon teaches you how to create an “erasure poem”–poetry created from words left behind. (literary arts)
Materials: pencil/pen/marker, newspaper and/or magazine
The Important Thing (grades 4-6+)
Educator Anne Andersen guides you through an autobiographical writing exercise called The Important Thing (literary arts)
Materials: paper/journal, pen/pencil