Observational Drawing is Important

Melanie and Jon, last year's fourth grade teachers, place a priority on observational drawing, knowing the many benefits it holds for children, and for teaching in this way. Drawing is a form of research. It is an important tool that you will see in use all around Sabot school. Here is a snippet of conversation about what it takes to be successful in observational drawing;

Brycen: It should be calm and focused.

Evan: Draw what you see, not what you think you see.

Elina: Be very focused. Use details and slow down.

Sadie: You literally just kind of exit from other things that are happening around you. If someone is talking to another person, then you could kind of push that away and focus on what you’re drawing.

Leo: About drawing what you see, if you think it’s bad--pretty much stinking thinking--just draw what you see as much as you can. If you don’t like what you’re drawing, keep trying to get the details. 

*We use the phrase "stinking thinking" to mean that little voice that makes you feel discouraged when you're trying to do something hard.