How to Use My Illustration Unit during Kindergarten Writer’s Workshop

Kindergarten Growth in Action

Kindergarten is a wild time of growth. Students often enter knowing just one or two letters in their name, sometimes none at all. Their people drawings look more like ladders or potatoes, and many will color everything with just one crayon. I once had a student who would only use blue!

By the time May arrives, those same students are writing sentences and creating full illustrations. The leap is incredible, and every kindergarten teacher knows it is not easy.

Why Illustrations Matter

One of the trickiest parts of teaching writing is helping students learn how to draw illustrations. Some children spend the entire writer’s workshop staring at a blank page simply because they do not know how to draw a dog. That moment is frustrating for teachers and overwhelming for students. Those are the exact moments that inspired me to create the Illustration Unit.

This four-week unit focuses entirely on illustrations, making it the perfect way to begin the school year. Students learn how to draw people with different hairstyles, clothing, and expressions. They also learn how to use shapes to draw familiar objects such as cars, buildings, and animals. By starting here, you set your class up for smoother sailing when it is time to label and write.

To make the experience even more powerful, I pair this unit with my mentor text Shape Stories, a book I wrote to show students how simple shapes can turn into real illustrations. Using Shape Stories alongside the lessons helps children see drawing as fun and achievable.

What the Unit Looks Like in the Classroom

The Illustration Unit includes 21 scripted lessons designed for simple, print-and-go use. Lessons are developmentally appropriate for those just-turned-five kindergartners and are intentionally structured so you can begin on the very first day of school if you choose.

Students start by exploring and building with shapes. They learn how to use shapes to draw people, create self-portraits, and add details like clothing, hair, and expressions. A dedicated lesson helps them use accurate and creative colors instead of coloring everything with just one shade. As the weeks continue, students practice drawing cars, boats, houses, and eventually learn the word setting. They finish the unit by creating full illustrations with both people and a setting.

Each lesson follows a simple format:
• Materials list for quick prep
• A short teacher model or discussion
• Student practice and engagement time

I recommend giving each student a directed drawing notebook. Print the drawing pages at 80 percent, glue them onto the left page, and let students complete their drawings on the right. This becomes a tool for documenting growth and an easy reference when students need ideas later in the year.

What Is Included

When you purchase the Illustration Unit you will receive more than 300 pages of curriculum including:
• 21 scripted lesson plans with philosophy, examples, and teaching notes
• 28 directed drawings using only shapes with 4 differentiated options for each
• Editable slides and directed drawing videos
• 10 anchor charts and a mentor text list
• Parent letters and multiple rubric options
• Prewriting worksheets and practice pages
• Cut-and-glue drawing options for extra support
• Celebration certificates and hats for the end of the unit

Support for Every Student

Kindergarteners arrive at many different starting points. Some already write and draw confidently, while others are just learning to hold a pencil. This unit is designed to meet all of them where they are.

Students who need extra support can begin with the prewriting practice pages. If they still struggle, you can use a highlighter for tracing or let them complete the cut-and-glue versions. Everything is flexible so you can differentiate for your classroom.

Next Steps

After finishing the Illustration Unit, move into the Labeling Unit, where students begin connecting their drawings with letters. You can also explore the Kindergarten Writing Bundle, which combines everything into one complete path for the year.

By starting with the Illustration Unit, you are giving your students the confidence and skills they need to become writers who can put their stories on paper.

Love this unit but want to get it on TPT instead? Get it here!

Want Amanda's new mentor texts? Get them here! These are physical books and are not included in the digital download. You can absolutely teach this unit without the mentor text, but having a clear, supporting text makes introducing a new skill even easier. (Books 4-10 available Spring 2026!)