By Cindy Blevins Instructional Support Teacher, GISD Step by Step

1. Select a magazine picture (if you are creating a Power Point, insert a picture from your computer clipart). The picture can be funny, serious, or whatever appeals to you as long as it is classroom “appropriate.” Step 1

2. Write a short paragraph about the picture using complete sentences. Write what you think, wonder, feel, etc. You can even write like you are the person, place, or thing (personification). When I saw a pack of crayons today, I suddenly had the urge to color. I haven’t colored in years. Will someone see me? Do I care? Maybe I just long for the care-free life the crayons represent. I pick up a red—my favorite—and begin to color. Suddenly, thoughts of homework, grades, and stressed friendships all begin to fade into a rainbow of colors— happy colors of my childhood. Maybe I should color more often! Step 2

3. Insert line breaks (vary the number of words, but don’t include more than 5 or 6 words on any one line). When I saw a pack / of crayons today, / I suddenly had / the urge to color. / I haven’t colored in years. / Will someone see me? / Do I care? / Maybe I just long for / the care-free life / the crayons represent. / I pick up a red—my favorite— / and begin to color. / Suddenly, thoughts of / homework, / grades, / and stressed friendships / all begin to fade into a / rainbow of colors—happy / colors of my childhood. / Maybe I should / color more often! Step 3

4. Rewrite the poem using the line breaks. When I saw a pack of crayons today, I suddenly had the urge to color. I haven’t colored in years. Will someone see me? Do I care? Maybe I just long for the care-free life the crayons represent. I pick up a red—my favorite— and begin to color. Suddenly, thoughts of homework, grades, and stressed friendships all begin to fade into a rainbow of colors—happy colors of my childhood. Maybe I should color more often! When I saw a pack / of crayons today, / I suddenly had / the urge to color. / I haven’t colored in years. / Will someone see me? / Do I care? / Maybe I just long for / the care-free life / the crayons represent. / I pick up a red—my favorite— / and begin to color. / Suddenly, thoughts of / homework, / grades, and / stressed friendships / all begin to fade into a / rainbow of colors—happy / colors of my childhood. / Maybe I should / color more often! Step 4

5. Decorate your poem. When I saw a pack of crayons today, I suddenly had the urge to color. I haven’t colored in years. Will someone see me? Do I care? Maybe I just long for the care-free life the crayons represent. I pick up a red—my favorite— and begin to color. Suddenly, thoughts of homework, grades, and stressed friendships all begin to fade into a rainbow of colors—happy colors of my childhood. Maybe I should color more often! Step 5

6. Share your poem, then show the picture. When I saw a pack of crayons today, I suddenly had the urge to color. I haven’t colored in years. Will someone see me? Do I care? Maybe I just long for the care-free life the crayons represent. I pick up a red—my favorite— and begin to color. Suddenly, thoughts of homework, grades, and stressed friendships all begin to fade into a rainbow of colors—happy colors of my childhood. Maybe I should color more often! Step 6