In my last blog post, I outlined an art and writing
activity based on the classic children’s book, Harold And The Purple Crayon.
Instead of using just one purple crayon (as per the exercise and the
book), now it’s time to get out the whole pack!
It’s hard miss the relatively new adult coloring
book craze when you walk into a book store. Coloring books are displayed at
every turn. From simple scenes to
intricate patterns, lush florals, and whimsical animals, there is something for
every age and interest.
The new “queen” of coloring books, UK illustrator
Johanna Basford, has even topped the recent best-seller lists with the
following titles:
Coloring provides a great way to relax and de-stress,
while at the same time trains the brain to focus and work on fine motor skills.
Using crayons, markers, or colored pencils, a coloring session is not only fun,
but therapeutic for adults and kids alike.
To add a writing exercise that can be used with a
coloring page, ask your students to create a story based on the illustration
they are coloring. Below is a sample of a page I created last year for a
coloring book used by patients at Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Print the
page on 81/2 X 11 paper and color.
 |
| Created by Joan Waites |
Ask your students to imagine the story
happening in the picture. Where is the girl going? What are the elephants
doing? Who is the bird? The monkey? Where does this story take place?
Enjoy some coloring time, and enjoy these last weeks
of summer!
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