Why Directed Drawings Are So Beneficial in the Classroom

Drawing is a skill just like any other that needs to be explicitly taught. This is the first step in the writing process and allows students to communicate and express themselves. But what happens is so many students get stuck and say “I can’t draw” or “I don’t know how to draw” Here are my top three reasons why directed drawings are SO beneficial in the classroom.

1. Modeling simple directed drawings with SHAPES ONLY to gain confidence

 Drawing isn’t as complicated as it sounds if you start to view objects as SHAPES. Let's say someone tells you to draw a duck on a whim, that sounds pretty tricky unless you’re naturally good at drawing. But what if I told you to start with a semicircle for the body, add a circle for the head, some triangles for the beak and feet and a smaller semicircle for the wing. It’s not as hard right? Teaching students they can start with shapes will allow them to gain SO much confidence in their drawing. The goal isn’t for them to always need a directed drawing, but it’s a great starting point or something to fall back on when they’re stuck. Sometimes you just need an idea for the spark to go off!

2. Strengthening Listening and Direction-Following Skills

Whole-group directed drawings are a fantastic way to build listening and following direction skills. I like to read each step aloud while students draw along. This keeps them actively engaged, practicing auditory processing and attention to detail. Plus, the final results are always unique, adorable, and often hilarious!

3. Making Writing More Fun and Engaging

Once you introduce directed drawings, your students will beg for more! What started as a fun Friday activity in my classroom quickly became a daily reading center rotation. The best part? The more they drew, the more they wrote.

I even created monthly directed drawings to match seasonal themes, and my students couldn’t get enough. Their pictures became more detailed, their stories more creative, and their excitement for writing soared. Directed drawings truly make writing an activity students look forward to!

Ready to Bring Directed Drawings Into Your Classroom?

If you’re excited to try directed drawings with your students, I’ve got you covered! You can find my monthly themed directed drawing packs here.

Each set includes step-by-step drawing guides, writing prompts, and templates to help your students gain confidence, strengthen listening skills, and fall in love with writing.

Your students will beg for directed drawing time every week!