Author: dulair19

Sketch to stretch is a process that allows students to tap into criteria and information they have learned previously. They use their prior knowledge to connect to the topic at hand. With this strategy students are able to express their understanding of the text that is read by drawing out their thought process and by illustrating their ideas. Students are able to be creative with their work and express how they interpret the text by using lines, shapes, colors, symbols and words to display their feelings. Students are first collaborating with their classmates and discussing their ideas, generating insight and extending their understanding. From there students gather their thoughts and start to develop concepts of their own in an individual setting. With this strategy elementary students are assessed on their creative ability along with the detail provided. Students are encouraged to provide illustrations and text that better explain their understanding of the concept. The benefit of this strategy is that it can be adapted to almost any subject that is taught, also teachers can adapt this strategy in many other ways. Such as have the drawer remain silent and have the other students interpret the drawing and then compare their interpretations. This activity can be a fun way to encourage different styles of learning such as students who learn through visualizing or students who learn information through lecture and participating in group discussions such as auditory learners.