Linda Rief told of students who wrote after first drawing storyboards of their ideas. She convinced us that the visualization of the story through this method is the best way for some students to prewrite - especially reluctant writers. Through her own and student examples we were given ideas and creative ways to introduce writing assignments.

• I loved all the examples because they gave a a very clear picture of how important art is to expressing writing
• Wow! She was inspiring! As a former LD teacher who struggled with trying to get kids to write, I wish that I had had the courage to let them draw to express themselves.
• Excellent! I especially loved the shift to simplicity and non-writer/non-drawers. Project ideas were lighting up in my head.
• I loved learning about writing or rather thinking through drawing. I've watched many students draw and never thought about the fact that they were thinking in another form. I'm going back to my classroom with a new attitude.

Joe Heller entertained as well as informed us about the life of a cartoonist. Starting in high school as a novel way to get classmates' attention, he built on his skills and humorist style through college and into an eventual career. He explained his method of writing and revising editorial cartoons which parallels the writing process.

• Great way to combine drawing and sparse text to help kids understand issues and the importance of words/visuals.
• So enlightening - I learned a lot about the whole process of cartoon drawing.
• Delightful wit; subtle message of following your dreams & passions. I have an elevated appreciation for political cartoons.
• His talk was a wonderful complement with Linda Rief's talk - the visual part of communication that is a part of our daily information.