ABOUT

Since I started teaching, I have observed and preached the benefits of using pictures in the classroom. They are immediate; they stimulate the imagination and promote creativity. Children who often ‘sit back’ are able and willing to contribute. They learn that their opinions matter.

As the blog has grown, teachers have let me know how they are using it in the classroom. Images and questions can be used to stimulate discussion and develop vocabulary, as a prompt for creative writing, a reading comprehension activity (with a mix of literal, inference, deduction and prediction questions), or as a starting point for a wider curriculum lesson. Some teachers have set an image and questions for homework, while others have organised whole-school writing competitions based on a picture.

Once Upon A Picture is, unashamedly, a passion project. I spend a lot of time looking at illustrations, digital art and animation. I have ‘pinned’ thousands of pictures and spent hours searching for writing prompts. I have an unhealthy love of picture books. It was a natural step to start a blog sharing the best.

All of the work shared here is done so with the permission of the artist. It’s important that children appreciate the person behind the work, and many artists enjoy hearing children’s responses to their creations.

Please support the blog by ‘following’ on Twitter, subscribing by email or ‘liking’ the Facebook page, where I share additional links and resources, and sometimes run giveaways. Share it with your teacher friends and invite children to comment on the posts. Any children’s work can be emailed to sam@onceuponapicture.co.uk and I will publish it on the website.

Thanks for your support,
Sam