Writing

 "A picture is worth a thousand words."

     Talking and writing about personal photographs or even writing about photos of unknown people, can be very engaging.  What is happening in the photo or even imagining what is happening provides a great springboard for conversation and writing.  It is not difficult to connect to social studies or even science concepts.
Try this:
     Have students bring pictures or provide them with pictures or photos.  The photos may have other people in them but should have rich stories behind them or evoke strong feelings.  Model how to write about a photograph, and then have students try it. Ideas for the writing could be.....

•  Describe the place where the photo was taken
• What happened just before/just after this photo was taken?
• What surprised you about this photograph?
• Who is missing from the picture? What can't we see?
• If that little person in the picture could talk, what would she or he be saying?

It may be true, literally, that a picture is worth a thousand words!