Strategy: Write Using A Photo

Whenever I want my students to bring in a photograph to help them write, I usually say NO PORTRAITS since there are rarely good stories that come from them. Hence, I put together this mosaic, which can be used in a demonstration prior to having the kids bring photos to school, so that I can show my kiddies how to determine if a photo is worth bringing in to write about (or not).

KEY:
Yes! Bring something like this if you remember something about the photo.
No! You don’t recall enough information and/or this was taken as part of an uneventful portrait sitting.
1. Yes: This photo was taken at the Top of Mt. Washington, which I hiked in 1990.
2. Yes: I’m four years old here and am sitting in front of my Dad at my parents’ friends home. We enjoyed many Saturday afternoon fires there, so I can definitely write about this.
3. No! Don’t recall sitting for this photograph.
4. Yes: Hanging out with Mickey and Minnie in 1980.
5. Yes: I wore a jean jacket in 1987 and I still do today. I can definitely write about the jean jacket thing.
6. No: I don’t know what I’m doing here, nor do I want to invent something.
7. No: I don’t remember this exact day when this photograph was taken. I was just attending a normal birthday party for my cousin.
8. No: Don’t recall covering myself head-to-toe in spaghetti.
9. With my first grade teacher in the 1990’s.
10. No: I don’t recall this moment at the swim club with any clarity.
11. Yes: This was taken at my 8th Grade Graduation, which I remember clearly!
12. Yes: Even though I was a terrible field hockey player, this photograph brings back a lot of memories.
13. Yes: High School Graduation Day