Still Life for Better Writing

Cartoon Still Life

STILL LIFE — Part 3

Perspective & Better Writing

By adding a few simple techniques, you can prepare students for more successful writing by giving them multiple perspectives. The techniques of “rotation” and “the questioner” do this well.

ROTATIONS

1. As a demonstration, ask students from one group to remake their Still Life picture.
2. Once in position, ask them to rotate so that they take the position of another group member next to them.
3. The group should rotate in a circle. (This may be difficult for them at first, but it’s great for group collaboration and sequencing!)
4. After a few rotations, ask all of the groups to reassemble their still life pictures and rotate on your command.
Rotating is an important tool in helping students understand curriculum more deeply and take different points of view!

VIDEO EXAMPLES

Gr K-3 students…

Gr 4-6 students…

THE QUESTIONER

As students sit in circles, ask them to choose numbers, so that each person in the group has a different number from 1-4 (or 5/6 depending on group size). They are to do this in total silence.
Have them get into a Still Life picture and then call out a number. The person with that number steps away from the group and becomes “The Questioner”, who then asks each member of the group each of 3 questions:

Who are you?
What are you doing? (in the picture)
Why?

The student being questioned maintains the body position and answers. The Questioner continues until all members of the group have answered and then goes back to his/her original position.
Have groups rotate and then call out a different number for a new Questioner.