Envisioning Writing: Toward and Integration of Drawing and Writing

by Janet L. Olson

Many children learn more easily and naturally by observation and image, rather than by sound and cipher. It is not at all unusual for children with high visual aptitudes to record and express their experiences and feelings in highly detailed drawings; when asked to express those same feelings in words, however, they draw a blank. These children are "visual learners." In Envisioning Writing , Janet Olson articulates classroom strategies to help teachers understand these children better and thereby facilitate a higher level of learning for the visual learner. Detailing the strong similarities between the visual arts and the language arts, Olson describes how the writing skills of today's elementary students can be dramatically improved through a method called the "visual narrative approach" to writing. She sets guidelines to help teachers identify the children in their classrooms who will benefit most from this method of instruction.

176 pages, Paperback

First published May 18, 1992

Reviews

[Peaches · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very approachable read for educators and scholars alike. Olson is a true advocate or arts education, language arts curriculum, and cross-curricular endeavors to promote growth in all students. Though she writes about the development in elementary-age students, her research ideas can and should be expanded to higher grades and older students.
What struck me most was how passionate she was about what she believes in. If you want people to read your work, you owe it to your readers to demonstrate why it is important, and she did just that. I enjoyed reading it and found myself agreeing with everything she wrote. It saddens me though that in 2019, 27 years after this book's publication, I feel that k-12 learning has gone backward. I read of teachers who were hired as types of curriculum coaches to help implement the arts, which definitely is not happening in U.S. public schools now. I wish I could say that he ideas are implemented now, but they seem forgotten. The teaching of writing is more formulaic than ever.
One qualm I had was how dated her research was, drawing on studies from the 70s and 80s, which was still well after this book's publication. It seemed like possibly an academic who did more outreach earlier in her career and decided to keep drawing from it rather than push it further; however, as a novice academic, I again have great respect for this publication and imagine she has done more sense.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be biased because Janet was my art ed professor, but even 30+ years later, she is ahead of her time. I wish this was required reading for all educators and admin. The arts are an integral and significant part of a child’s education- not just “fluff”, as many are quick to label it. The connection between art and writing can’t be ignored. Using this theory - I designed an entire middle school art course, which has been a phenomenal experience. My students have benefited greatly from Janet’s work.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janet Olson is an expert in art education. She has studied the connection between art and writing, and argues convincingly that both art educators and language arts educators need to work together to help students become stronger writers.