Activities
- Ask pairs to each choose a different coloured drawing material and select one to be the leader and the other the follower.
- The leader starts by making any kind of playful abstract drawing marks (shapes and lines), keeping their pen/pencil on the paper all the time. Don ’t talk during the activity - communicate through the marks you make.
- After a few seconds the leader pauses and allows time for the follower to respond playfully to what they have just seen, starting from the exact point the leader stopped. For example, if the leader made curvy lines the follower might draw zigzags.
- Each pair should continue drawing and responding until their paper is full of playful drawn conversations. They then swap roles.
Reflection
How does it feel to have a conversation through drawing? Which role do you prefer and why? What does your finished drawing make you think about?
Go Further
Try the same activity in a physical way. Without talking, pupils make movements that a partner will respond to in different ways - it could be a dance/performance/involve larger groups.
Persistent: Sticking with Difficulty
Children collaborate in a drawing conversation, playfully responding in their own way.
