What It Is

Quick-Draws are opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding of an abstract term or concept by representing it in a drawing. This can be used with any age group and in any content area, not only for concrete vocabulary concepts like renewable resource, but also for abstract concepts like sustainability.   

How It Works
  1. Select a big idea or major concept within your lesson. 
  2. Ask students to reflect on the meaning of the concept and create a visual image that represents the concept (allow approximately 3-5 minutes). 
  3. Have students share and explain their image with a partner, in a small group, or in a Chalkboard Splash. 
How to Ensure Higher-Order Thinking

The thinking processes that occur when you ask students to demonstrate an abstract concept in the form of a drawing lend themselves to the analysis of the different components that make up the meaning of that concept, as well as the synthesis of these components into a visual representation.  

After students create their drawings, give them an opportunity to share and explain the reasons they chose their particular visual to represent the concept. 

Source

Himmele P., and Himmele, W. Total Participation Techniques: Making Every Student an Active Learner. ASCD, 2017, pp.45-46.