I have been very interested in using visual language to communicate ideas with students for a long time. There are some amazing books and research being done in this field that show that students retain about 30% more content when they are engaged in a visual environment.
One activity that I have done with students is what I call "The Pixar Pitch". It uses a technique employed by Pixar to pitch potential stories to colleagues. This can easily be adapted to different content and subject areas.
I have had students think of an historical event and try to imagine a different outcome. Students are then given small pieces of paper on which to draw the imagined alternative scenario. Only one or two words are allowed per picture. Once all of the students are done, the different groups tape their drawings to a wall and have to narrate the sequence for the class.
Attached is a link to a youtube video that shows the results in my class. Please let me know how this turns out in your class if you use it.
Enjoy!
