Sharpen Skills with Shapegrams

In an effort to help learners grow their digital drawing skills, Tony Vincent came up with a series of challenges called Shapegrams. Each Shapegram is packaged inside a Google Drawings document and contains a picture to recreate, space to draw, video tutorial, drawing hints, and a side activity. The collection of guided exercises invites purposeful practice and creative exploration.

It turns out that Shapegrams are a great activity that students in Grade 3 and up can do independently, making them perfect for online and blended learning. In his presentation, Tony gives you a tour of Shapegrams, tips for integrating into the flow of your class, and ideas for putting students’ drawing skills to good use.

Four Shapegrams are free, and, as an attendee in this session, you’ll get access to two additional Shapegrams! The practice in the six Shapegrams will serve students well in your class and beyond. And, if you want additional Shapegrams, a $35 yearly membership gets you access to all 65 Shapegrams.

Make a copy of the Get into Shape Google Slides document. Change features, resize, rotate, and recolor each gray shape to that it matches its goal.

The Scope and Sequence chart can help teachers see what tools and techniques are introduced and practiced in each Shapegram. The chart also shows what tools and techniques should be mastered before challenging students with a specific Shapegram.

If a student completes a Shapegram in a super speedy time, you might have a CHEAT-ah on your hands. Read this comic for a quick way to spot a Shapegrams CHEAT-ah.

The International Society for Technology in Education’s standards provide a roadmap for effective use of technology in schools. Shapegrams help meets the standards. Read more.

Each Shapegram has its own punny encouragement poster. You can download a PDF or view slides with all 60+ silly growth encouragement messages. I really do hope that you will have groan after viewing these posters!

Zippers are digital drawing challenges that can be completed in a matter of minutes. Zippers are abridged Shapegrams—Zippers don’t have tutorial videos or side activities like regular Shapegrams. Check out what Zipper are available (most of them require no membership).

Shapegrams can be incorporated into a student’s day in a variety of ways.

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