Directed Drawing Alphabet Activities
As a teacher, you’ve probably heard the following: “I can’t draw!” When I started teaching first grade, I used to hear that all the time from my kids. I discovered that some of my students would draw the same kind of picture over and over again, and were afraid to come out of their artistic comfort zone. They wanted to draw the same pictures they were comfortable with, or some would even ask their friends to draw an object for them. So we decided to create directed drawing alphabet activities that incorporate writing and printing skills too! It was really important to make sure students had the opportunity to try and draw different things while tying it into ELA practice.
Why We Use Directed Drawings in the Classroom
Often, teachers assume that by using a step-by-step drawing activity, all the drawings in class will just end up looking exactly the same. That is not the case! You will notice that every child adds their own little details and changes to the images. We love directed drawings because they provide students with one way to see how to break down a picture or object into much smaller and manageable parts. This helps build observational skills that they can later apply to more complex drawings. Also, you may have kids that don’t enjoy practicing their printing or writing. Adding directed drawings into the mix is the ultimate game changer! An opportunity to draw fun pictures is sometimes all a reluctant writer needs to get them excited about writing.
Three Different Directed Drawing Alphabet Activities
We have created three directed drawing versions for your little learners! First, our Alphabet Activities pack has students practice the letters of the alphabet. Each letter matches a step-by-step drawing. For example, a for apple, b for bee etc. Your kiddos will learn how to draw 26 different pictures while reviewing letter formation and neat printing skills. We find this pack most suitable for K-1st grade level.
Next, our Draw & Write Activities has students practice writing complete sentences to go with 26 alphabetic pictures. These pages have a word bank included for each image to help them create detailed sentences. Therefore, this pack is made for emerging writers in the 1st-2nd grade levels.
And finally, our Cursive Activities pack allows the practice of cursive handwriting with another 26 pictures! The focus of this pack is cursive letter formation in a simple A-Z format. These pictures are also a little more challenging so we find it perfect for 2nd-4th graders.
How to Use These Activities
These are extremely low prep printables that don’t require much effort on your end! Just print the pages you will be using for each student. All they need to complete the pages are pencils and coloring materials like crayons, colored pencils or markers. We don’t really have a preference if kids want to work on the picture first or the writing component. As long as both sections are completed. Remind them to take their time and write neatly. Also, encourage them to add color and details to their drawings too!
We have included 3 FREE sample pages for you to try with your little learners. Pick the one(s) that work best for your classroom and have your students give them a try. If they enjoy them, the full packs can be purchased here or on TPT.
In addition, if you decide to purchase our directed drawing alphabet activities, the pages can be bound together to create the cutest keepsake books! We love to display these at Open House before giving them to students to take home. Cover pages are included!
When to Use Directed Drawing Activities
The great thing about these, is that they can be used year-round the following ways:
- as early finisher options
- in your ELA and/or writing centers
- for indoor recess or free time
- during morning or independent work time
- as additional substitute teacher plans/ideas
- when specialties are cancelled or there is an unexpected change to your classroom schedule
Put them to use and watch them quickly become one of your student’s favorite activities!
Check out these blog posts for more alphabet and writing activities.
