HomeDescribe and Draw: Partner Picture Pairs from Written Prompts Free original lessons
Describe and Draw: Partner Picture Pairs from Written Prompts
Learners write short scene descriptions, draw from a partner's text, then compare shape, position, and size using a simple checklist.
Free lesson
Four exercises
Worked answers
Object Drawing Lessons
This lesson builds communication-based drawing: one person describes a simple scene in words, and another draws it without seeing any reference image. The goal is not artistic polish but faithful transfer of information about shape, position, and size. You will practise reading a short description, drawing it in a framed box, and then comparing your drawing with the description using a checklist. A partner-swap version reverses the roles: one learner writes, the other draws. All tasks are self-contained and use plain arithmetic and consistent units where measurement is involved.
Practice materials: Printable downloads are not available for this lesson yet. Use the instructions and four exercises below.
Reading a description and drawing it
A description for this task names a few simple objects and states where each one sits and how large it is relative to the frame. For example: 'A house sits in the lower middle. A tree stands to the left of the house. A sun is in the top right corner.' Your job is to place each object so that a partner could check your drawing against the words.
Work in a framed box. Treat the frame edges as reference lines: top, bottom, left, right, and centre. Use relative terms such as 'left of', 'above', 'near the bottom', and 'about half the width of the frame'. Avoid vague words like 'big' unless you compare them to something in the scene.
- Read the whole description once before drawing anything.
- Mark light reference points: centre, corners, and midlines of the frame.
- Place the largest or most central object first.
- Add remaining objects using the position words in the description.
- Check size words against the frame or against another object.
- Compare your drawing to the description line by line.
Writing a description a partner can draw
When you write the description, imagine your partner has only your words. Name each object, give its position relative to the frame or to another object, and give a size clue. Keep the scene to three or four objects so the task stays checkable.
Use a consistent convention for any lettering or labels: x-height is measured from baseline to midline, and letter styles may vary between writers. If you include a label, state where it goes and how tall it should be in the same units you use for the scene.
- Choose three or four simple objects.
- Decide the frame size and state it, for example 12 cm by 12 cm.
- Write one sentence per object: name, position, size clue.
- Add one sentence for any label or lettering, including its height.
- Read your description aloud and remove words that could mean two different things.
Comparing and giving feedback
Comparison is a checklist activity, not a judgement of drawing skill. Check shape, position, and size separately. A drawing can be correct in position but wrong in size, and the checklist should show that clearly.
Valid alternatives exist. A tree may be drawn with a round crown or a triangular crown if the description does not specify. The checklist should mark 'matches description' or 'does not match description', not 'right' or 'wrong' in a single universal sense.
- Read the description again, one sentence at a time.
- For each object, tick shape, position, and size on the checklist.
- Note one specific mismatch and one specific match.
- If you are the writer, revise only the sentence that caused the mismatch.
- Redraw only the mismatched object, not the whole scene.
Worked example
Description: In a 12 cm by 12 cm frame, a house sits in the lower middle, about 4 cm wide. A tree stands to the left of the house, about 3 cm tall. A sun is in the top right corner, about 2 cm across. Label 'HOME' below the house with letters 1 cm from baseline to midline.
Worked answer
Draw the frame. Mark the centre and the lower middle. Place the house about 4 cm wide in the lower middle. Place the tree about 3 cm tall to the left of the house. Place the sun about 2 cm across in the top right corner. Write 'HOME' below the house with x-height 1 cm. Check each object against the description: house position lower middle, tree left of house, sun top right, label below house at stated height.
Why: The description gives one frame size, three objects with positions and sizes, and one label with a height convention. Each sentence can be checked independently, so the drawing can be compared line by line.
Check: Use a ruler to confirm the frame is 12 cm by 12 cm, the house is about 4 cm wide, the tree about 3 cm tall, and the sun about 2 cm across. Confirm the tree is left of the house and the sun is in the top right. Measure the label x-height from baseline to midline and confirm it is about 1 cm.
Four practice exercises
Exercise 1
Description: In a 10 cm by 10 cm frame, a circle sits in the centre, about 3 cm across. A square sits to the right of the circle, about 2 cm wide. A line runs along the bottom edge. Draw the scene and state one check you would make.
Show answer and check
A 10 cm by 10 cm frame with a 3 cm circle in the centre, a 2 cm square to the right of the circle, and a line along the bottom edge. Check: measure the circle across its widest point and confirm about 3 cm.
Why: The description gives frame size, two objects with positions and sizes, and one edge feature. Each can be checked with a ruler.
Check: Measure the frame, the circle diameter, and the square width. Confirm the square is right of the circle and the line touches the bottom edge.
Exercise 2
Description: In a 14 cm by 10 cm frame, a triangle sits in the top left, about 4 cm tall. A rectangle sits in the lower right, about 5 cm wide and 2 cm tall. A dot is at the centre. Draw the scene and list the three checklist items you would mark.
Show answer and check
A 14 cm by 10 cm frame with a 4 cm tall triangle in the top left, a 5 cm by 2 cm rectangle in the lower right, and a dot at the centre. Checklist items: shape, position, size.
Why: The description names three objects with positions and sizes. The checklist separates shape, position, and size so each can be marked.
Check: Measure the triangle height, the rectangle width and height, and confirm the dot is at the centre. Mark shape, position, and size for each object.
Exercise 3
Partner-swap: write a description for a 12 cm by 8 cm frame containing a house, a tree, and a sun. Include one size for each object and one label with x-height 1 cm. Then draw your own description and check it.
Show answer and check
Example description: In a 12 cm by 8 cm frame, a house sits in the lower middle, about 4 cm wide. A tree stands to the left of the house, about 3 cm tall. A sun is in the top right corner, about 2 cm across. Label 'SUN' below the sun with letters 1 cm from baseline to midline. Drawing follows the description; check each size with a ruler and confirm the label x-height.
Why: Writing then drawing your own description tests whether the words are specific enough to be checked. The label uses the stated x-height convention.
Check: Measure the frame, house width, tree height, sun width, and label x-height. Confirm positions: house lower middle, tree left of house, sun top right.
Exercise 4
Description: In a 12 cm by 12 cm frame, a star sits in the top left, about 2 cm across. A moon sits in the top right, about 3 cm across. A hill runs across the lower third of the frame. Draw the scene, then note one valid alternative for the star's shape.
Show answer and check
A 12 cm by 12 cm frame with a 2 cm star in the top left, a 3 cm moon in the top right, and a hill across the lower third. Valid alternative: the star may be drawn as a five-point star or as a simple cross shape if the description does not specify.
Why: The description gives positions and sizes but not exact shapes for the star, so more than one shape can match the words. The hill is a position feature across the lower third.
Check: Measure the star and moon across their widest points. Confirm the hill crosses the lower third. Mark shape as 'matches description or valid alternative'.
Common mistakes
- Drawing from memory of a similar scene instead of the words given. Cover any reference and read each sentence aloud before placing the object.
- Using vague size words such as 'big' without a comparison. Compare to the frame or another object, for example 'about one third of the frame width'.
- Checking only whether the drawing looks nice. Use the three-part checklist: shape, position, size.
- Treating one drawing style as the only correct answer. Mark 'matches description' when the words are satisfied, even if the style differs.
Self-check rubric
- Shape: each object's outline matches the description or a valid alternative.
- Position: each object is placed using the stated reference words.
- Size: each stated size is within a reasonable checkable range of the description.
- Label: any lettering meets the stated x-height convention from baseline to midline.
- Checklist: shape, position, and size are marked separately for each object.
- Feedback: at least one specific match and one specific mismatch are noted.
Questions and answers
Do I need to be good at drawing?
No. The task checks whether information moved from words to marks. Simple shapes and clear positions are enough.
What if my partner's description is ambiguous?
Draw your best interpretation, then ask which sentence was unclear and suggest a more specific position or size word.
How large should the frame be?
Choose a size and state it. A 12 cm by 12 cm frame is a hypothetical example; measure your actual paper and label your chosen value.
Can lettering style vary?
Yes. Use the stated convention: x-height is baseline to midline. Styles may differ as long as the stated height is met.