Picture the Music:
Creative Thinking and Creative Writing Look, Listen, Think and Write

Philip Davies

Programmed by Cobwebb Communications Ltd.

Reviewer: Belle Wallace, Director, TASC International

The double CDRom is a multi-sensory tool that is suitable for all learners since children can respond at any level that is appropriate for them. There are over 500 original photographs and illustrations, and 75 minutes of specially composed music, as well as poems and extracts. Teachers can create lessons that encourage learners to respond to visual and auditory stimuli that feed into their writing efforts. The series can be used with an interactive whiteboard for whole class, small group or individual work. The selection of stimuli is presented in a very attractive format with mindmaps to crystallize meaning and purpose. Many teachers have reported that their classes have responded with enthusiasm to this novel way of producing writing as the result of multi-sensory stimuli coupled with ICT techniques. 

Further ideas can be found on the website: www.picturethemusic.com

Here are some extracts from the children’s responses. 

Writing based on auditory input. The sound was mechanical with a steady rhythmic beat.

Drip drip drip
Water
Or blood?
They were approaching
Ever - coming
Colossal power
Fire torches
Held high
Flicker
Crackle
Death.
Ghostly masks conceal ghostly faces
No emotion
No Life
Just malice

Mystery house

This is the house of life
Everyone is born in this luxurious place
The rich creamy colour
Of the house
Makes you feel alive
Each and every fragile segment
Is a part of a human’s life
This is where I was born
And this is where I want to die
This place makes me feel
On top of the world
The miracle maker
The life solver
The queen of all time 

GEI Vol 22 No 1