Observational drawing

My colleague who is doing her TESOL diploma has been using observational drawing to support her literacy programme.  After talking to her about how good it was for getting children to notice details, a very useful skill for reading, I tried some with my class.  I collected some plastic toys and interesting objects and modelled noticing the details in an object by pointing out the feathers on this penguin and the lines on its feet and beak.

The children had a go and produced some great drawings - they have been getting better at noticing the details.