Telling Stories with Pictures

Active learning works well here because young students develop visual storytelling skills best through doing, not only observing. Working in pairs and small groups lets them test ideas, compare techniques, and build confidence before sharing with the whole class.

• Foundation
• Technologies
• 4 activities
• 25 min–40 min

Learning Objectives

1. Design a sequence of at least three digital images to visually represent a simple story.
2. Explain how specific colors and shapes in a digital image can evoke particular emotions.
3. Compare and contrast the features of a digital drawing tool with traditional paper-based drawing methods.
4. Create a digital artwork using drawing tools to express a personal idea or concept.

Project-Based Learning

⏱ 30 min·Pairs

Pairs: Emotion Sequence Boards

Pairs open a drawing app and create three images showing a character's emotions changing through a simple event, like getting a gift. They use colors and shapes to show happy, surprised, and excited feelings. Pairs present their sequence to the class, explaining choices.

Prepare & details

Design a sequence of images to tell a short story.

Facilitation Tip: During Emotion Sequence Boards, circulate and ask each pair to narrate their emotional sequence to you before moving on, ensuring they connect color and shape to feelings.

Setup: Flexible workspace with access to materials and technology

Materials: Project brief with driving question, Planning template and timeline, Rubric with milestones, Presentation materials

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Project-Based Learning

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Small Groups: Digital vs Paper Challenge

Small groups draw the same simple scene, like a happy dog, once on paper and once digitally. They note differences in ease of changing colors or adding elements. Groups discuss advantages, then vote on preferences.

Prepare & details

Explain how different colors or shapes can convey emotions in a picture.

Facilitation Tip: During Digital vs Paper Challenge, set a visible timer for each round so students stay focused on comparing tools without over-elaborating.

Setup: Flexible workspace with access to materials and technology

Materials: Project brief with driving question, Planning template and timeline, Rubric with milestones, Presentation materials

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Project-Based Learning

⏱ 25 min·Whole Class

Whole Class: Story Image Relay

Project a drawing tool on the interactive whiteboard. Students take turns adding one image to a class story sequence, like a journey to school. The class narrates the emerging story aloud after each addition.

Prepare & details

Compare how a digital drawing tool is different from drawing on paper.

Facilitation Tip: During Story Image Relay, remind students to only add one new element per image to keep the narrative clear and sequential.

Setup: Flexible workspace with access to materials and technology

Materials: Project brief with driving question, Planning template and timeline, Rubric with milestones, Presentation materials

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Project-Based Learning

⏱ 35 min·Individual

Individual: My Day in Pictures

Each student creates four images showing their day from morning to home time. They sequence them in the app and add simple labels if ready. Students save and share one image via class drive.

Prepare & details

Design a sequence of images to tell a short story.

Setup: Flexible workspace with access to materials and technology

Materials: Project brief with driving question, Planning template and timeline, Rubric with milestones, Presentation materials

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Teaching This Topic

Teachers should model both digital and paper techniques side-by-side to normalize experimentation. Keep language simple and visual—use gestures, color swatches, and shape cutouts to support young learners. Avoid correcting too early; instead, ask questions that help students notice their own choices.

What to Expect

Students will show they can plan a sequence of images, use color and shape intentionally, and explain their choices clearly. They will compare digital and paper tools and discuss what makes a strong visual story.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

During Emotion Sequence Boards, watch for students who rely only on literal faces or objects to show emotion, missing the opportunity to use color and abstract shapes.

What to Teach Instead

Ask them to swap partners and explain their sequence without words, then ask the new partner to guess the emotion based only on shapes and colors. This helps them see how visuals alone carry meaning.

Common Misconception

During Digital vs Paper Challenge, watch for students who insist digital tools are 'cheating' because they can erase or copy easily.

What to Teach Instead

Have them photograph each paper drawing and load it into the app side-by-side. Guide them to notice how the digital version lets them test ideas quickly, then return to paper to refine line work.

Common Misconception

During Story Image Relay, watch for students adding too many details or words to every image, overcomplicating the wordless sequence.

What to Teach Instead

Pause the relay and ask the group to count how many images are needed for a clear beginning, middle, and end. Discuss how fewer, stronger images work better than crowded ones.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

After Emotion Sequence Boards, ask each pair to show one image from their sequence and point to a color or shape. Then ask each student to whisper the emotion they think it shows before sharing with the class.

Exit Ticket

After Digital vs Paper Challenge, hand out slips and ask students to draw a three-image sequence from their day. On the back, they write one sentence comparing the tool they used and why it helped or didn’t.

Discussion Prompt

During Story Image Relay, after showing two finished sequences side-by-side, ask: 'Which story do you understand faster and why? What did the creator do to make it clear?'

Extensions & Scaffolding

• Challenge students to create a second version of their sequence using only black, white, and one other color, pushing them to think about contrast and emphasis.
• Scaffolding for beginners: Provide pre-drawn shapes or stencils in their drawing app so they focus on sequencing and color rather than line control.
• Deeper exploration: Introduce a simple animation tool to bring one image from their sequence to life for 2–3 seconds, linking still images to movement.

Key Vocabulary

Digital Drawing Tool	A software application or feature on a device that allows users to create images using a stylus, mouse, or finger, with options like brushes, colors, and layers.
Visual Narrative	A story told through a series of images rather than words, where each picture contributes to the overall plot or message.
Sequence	The order in which images are presented to create a flow or tell a story, where each step logically follows the one before it.
Color Theory	The study of how colors affect human emotions and perceptions, for example, red might convey anger or excitement, while blue might suggest calmness.
Shape	A basic element of visual art, such as a circle, square, or triangle, that can also be used to communicate feelings or ideas in an image.