Writing Idea: Caption This!

I am a lucky teacher to have an LCD projector and an Elmo!  If you don't have such technologies NO WORRIES!  You can print out the picture and hang it up, use it as a writing center idea, or as a group activity.

I will go on the hunt through the wonderful world wide web to look for amazing fiction and nonfiction photos to share with my students.  I carefully select them to go with the genre of writing I am teaching too.  I show the photo to the students and I may ask them to write a story using the picture or use speech bubbles with quotes.

Another application of "Caption This" use a paint program or Microsoft PowerPoint to make a book using the photos you've selected.  It is important to have students not only use writer's workshop through their notebook but also explore other avenues to promote technological literacy too!

Here is an example:  Class, take a moment to look at the picture.  Where is this photo taking place, who or what is in the picture, what's happening, what do you think will happen next?
You could also let the students briefly discuss the picture with a partner to get ideas.