A few weeks ago I shared a post pertaining to using images—like the winning entries in the Smithsonian’s 11th Annual Photo Contest—to spark student writing. Since then I’ve discovered a really neat Pinterest board chock-full of ideas regarding the use of picture prompts in the classroom.

Check out Quick Write Picture Prompts, a collection of images and corresponding writing ideas, curated by a fourth grade teacher. An example of one of these story starters is shown below.

Suggested Use: Writer #1—Tell the story about what was happening when this picture was taken. Writer #2—Add to the first writer’s story. Writer #3—Share your thoughts or the life lesson. Writer #1: Read the story. Edit and revise it for clarity. Give the picture a title.

Even if none of the images in this collection apply to your grade level and/or curricular area, there are plenty of ideas that can be tweaked to suit your needs.

Classroom Connection:

Regardless of the resource utilized to obtain images, the use of picture prompts is an excellent way to motivate students to write essays, stories, poems, etc.