Text, "The Secret Powers of Doodling"
Art by Linzie Hunter
Infographic,

The Secret Powers of Doodling

Doodling—scrawling pictures, shapes, and squiggles on notebooks or other pieces of paper—is as natural as breathing and singing. Most people do it! Is doodling just fun, or is it something more?

From the February 2023 Issue
Complexity Factors
  • Purpose
    This infographic presents fun facts and tips about doodling, along with details about its benefits.
  • Structure
    Information is organized in three sections below the feature’s title and introductory paragraph. Photos, drawings, and text are included.
  • Language
    The language is mainly familiar.
  • Knowledge Demands
    The infographic mentions President Ronald Reagan.
Standards
  • Common Core
    Anchor Standards: R.1, R.2, R.7, W.2 Grade 4: RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.7, W.4.2 Grade 5: RI.5.1, RI.5.2, RI.5.7, W.5.2 Grade 6: RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.7, W.6.2
  • TEKS
    Grade 4: 4.9f; 4.12d Grade 5: 5.9f; 5.12d Grade 6: 6.8f; 6.11d

Presentation View
See Student View

Art by Linzie Hunter; Henshilwood et al., Nature 2018 (oldest doodle); Courtesy Ronald Reagan Library (Ronald Reagan)

Doodling Can . . .

  • . . . boost your memory.
    Scientists say that doodling can help you remember what you hear.
  • . . . help you focus.
    Doodling can help your brain stay active when you’re getting bored.
  • . . . ease your stress.
    Research shows that doodling can help you feel more relaxed.

Fun Facts

  • The world’s oldest doodle—red lines on a rock—is 73,000 years old.
  • Common doodles include hearts and flowers.
  • Many U.S. presidents loved doodling. Ronald Reagan doodled cowboys and horses.

Quick Tips About Doodling

  1. Don’t worry about how it looks.
     Doodles don’t have to be beautiful to help you learn and remember things.
  2. Keep it focused.
    Draw doodles related to what you’re trying to focus on—like a volcano while learning about lava.
  3. Don’t over-doodle it.
     If doodling becomes a distraction, cut back on it! 

Write to Win

Imagine your school is trying to ban doodling. Using facts from the infographic and your own ideas, write a letter in support of doodling to give to your principal. Send it to “Doodling Contest” by April 1, 2023. Five winners will each receive a Storyworks prize. Visit the Storyworks Contests page for more information.

This infographic was originally published in the February 2023 issue.

Activities (3)
Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)
Activities (3) Download All Activities
Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

Table of Contents

1. Reading and Discussing 

2. Writing

3. Ideas to Engage and Inspire

1. Reading and Discussing 

Project the infographic as students follow along in their magazines.

Prompt students to use the headline, subhead, and central image to identify the topic of the infographic.

Ask: Is the purpose of the infographic to

  • explain something to you?
  • convince you of something?
  • tell you how to do something?

Have students look over the labels and images surrounding the central image. Ask:

  • How are they related to the central image? (They provide details about the main idea.)

Break students into groups to read each section of the infographic and discuss what they find interesting, surprising, or convincing.

Come back together as a class and ask volunteers to summarize the main idea and supporting details from the infographic.

2. Writing

Preview the writing prompt in the “Write to Win” box.

Download and distribute the guided-writing activity that goes along with the infographic.

Have students respond to the writing prompt. If you wish, send their responses to our infographic contest. 

3. Ideas to Engage and Inspire

Have students create their own infographics! Download our “Make Your Own Infographic” activity from Storyworks Digital.

Text-to-Speech