Writing

Printable Travel Journal

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:07:40 EST

Here's a great way to incorporate writing into your vacation. Plus, it doubles as a fun way to preserve the memories from your trip.

Visit bnute.blogspot.com for the free printable. Print several off and bring them on your trip for your child to fill out at the end of each day.

All About Dad

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:36:35 EST

Here's a cute template for Father's Day from creativehomemakers.blogspot.com. Don't forget about grandpa too. They've got templates for "Dad", "Grandpa", and "Papa". VIsit their site for the free download.

Superhero Writing

Wed, 29 May 2013 10:45:05 EST

Put those imaginations to work by having kids reinvent themselves as superheroes. Visit talesofanelementaryteacher.blogspot.com for these templates. Have your child draw themselves as a superhero, then write about their superpower and how it works.

Character Sketches

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:15:23 EST

Here's a great strategy for character studies from ateacherstreasure.com. From a book that they are reading, have the child illustrate the character based on the physical traits mentioned in the text. Then have them create thought bubbles to describe the character's point of view and senses throughout the text.

Favorite Things about Mom

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:13:46 EST

Here's a great way to have kids write about the things they love about Mom this Mother's Day. (Taken from: balancinghome.com)

Getting Kids to Love Writing

Fri, 03 May 2013 18:24:33 EST

There's often a lot of focus put on getting children to love to read, but what about writing? Here are some great ideas from themeasuredmom.com.

How to Get Kids to Love Writing

1. Have a story-filled life.

The best writers are avid readers. Read to your child every day. You say your child's in middle school? Read to your child every day. Pick a book above your child's reading ability, or take turns reading pages in a book of his choice. When your children are young, tell stories in the car, the doctor's office, or when you're pushing the stroller. Above all, talk to your children.

2. Recognize and celebrate early writing.

When your two-year-old scribbles and calls it his name, he's writing. When your preschooler writes a string of letters and tells you what it says, he's writing. And when your kindergartner draws a picture and adds a single word, she's writing too. Call it that. Celebrate it!

**3. Let your child see you write.**

When you're in a rush to head out the door and are scribbling down a grocery list – and your preschooler hangs over your shoulder and asks what you're doing – take a second. Show him. Let him watch you make lists, send e-mails, write thank you notes, and compose a note for his lunch box.

4. Provide a great variety of writing tools and surfaces for writing, and give your child easy access to them.

Give your children pens, chalk, paint, and markers. Get big pads of newsprint, a chalkboard, or a dry erase board. When your child knows her letters, put her at the computer. Make the font big and bright, and let her type.

5. Create a writing space.

Set up a quiet corner for your child to write. If space is an issue, pack writing materials into a portable container that your child can pull out at the kitchentable. Include pens and pencils, pads of paper and envelopes, a notebook, and a spelling dictionary appropriate for your child's age.

6. Schedule quality writing time into your day.

Don't put a writing prompt in front of your child and call that teaching writing. While prompts can serve a useful purpose, the focus of your writing time should be short mini-lessons and plenty of time for independent writing. What's a mini-lesson? Here are just a few examples:

a) Teach your child how to streeetch out a word and write its sounds.
b) Teach your child how to brainstorm writing ideas.
c) Teach your child to reread her work after she's written it.

My plan is provide lots of writing mini-lessons in the future. So check back herefor more ideas.

Give your child writing time as often as you can. Would one book a week help your child love to read? Neither would one writing session promote a love of writing. If your child is resistant, use your best judgment. But keep in mind that frequent writing develops the habit of writing. I think that three days a week of 20-40 minutes (depending on age) is better than five days of just 10 minutes a day.

7. Give your child authentic writing experiences.

Let her help write the grocery list. Give her the pen to add a note at the end of the letter you're writing. Let her write the note for the mail carrier or neighbor. An older child can plan the menu or write out the packing list for vacation. All children can write thank-you notes – even if it's just a picture and their name.

8. Let art be a part of writing.
When children first begin writing, their stories are mainly pictures. Let them write the story they want to tell and then write or dictate words to you. As they get older they'll still love to illustrate their stories or add embellishments with stamps and stickers. Older children might enjoy drawing comics to tell their stories.

9. Teach your child to write in all different genres.

For many of us, writing time at school was either "creative" writing to a prompt, or a report. There's so much more! Poems don't have to rhyme. (A list of sounds you hear outdoors is a poem.) Writing down a favorite recipe (as the child recalls it) is a wonderful way to practice nonfiction writing. A story doesn't have to be an original tale; your child can retell a favorite fairy tale in writing.

10. Have realistic expectations about spelling and grammar.

Spelling and grammar are absolutely important, but not all at once. Focusing too much on spelling and grammar will squelch creativity in young writers and destroy enthusiasm in older ones. As your child's literacy grows, you'll know what words to hold him accountable for. But you will only know this when you have regular writing time.

11. Don't forget about spelling and grammar.

Wait a second. Didn't we just talk about this? Some teachers and parents become so concerned about not overdoing grammar and punctuation that they adopt a "hands-off" approach. Kids know when their writing is careless. If you don't hold them accountable for what they can do, and teach them new things as they are ready, they will continue to produce sloppy work that they cannot take pride in. Remember that words, sentences, and ideas are first. But spelling and grammar are a definite second.

12. Play games to teach writing skills.

Take a break from the radio or DVD player in your car. Instead, play word games to increase vocabulary. At home, pull out board games like Scattergories and Apples to Apples. In the future, I'll be posting about games to promote a love of writing. Check here for ideas.

13. Give support and encouragement.

When your child is writing, be as helpful as you can. Talk through ideas. Supply help with spelling and punctuation when it's asked for. Think of yourself not as a critic, but as a helper and encourager.

14. Publish your kids' writing. Let them make their own books.

Submit their writing to contests or children's magazines. Let them type their work on the computer. Consider putting their finished stories into a book with an online publishing program.

Ways to Explore Writing

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:22:14 EST

(From: mocking-bird.org)

Simile Sheet

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:45:52 EST

Here's a fun activity that helps teach similes, and gives kids a chance to express themselves. Visit the source- smileplaylearn.com, for the download.

St. Patrick's Day Sight Words Game

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 11:07:43 EST

Here's a clever way to make practicing those sight words more exciting. Visit: iheartcraftythings.com for the downloadable printables and then follow these rules that they created:

How to Play: Start the game with your shamrock game piece outside the pot on the left side of "they". Roll the dice and move that many spaces on the board, landing on a sight word. You can use 2 dice to get some more addition practice too. Now read the sight word, then write it on your Shamrock Notepad Card. Continue playing until your Notepad Card is full. You could easily do at least 2 Notepad Cards each game if you have the time.

Zig Zag Books

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:37:57 EST

Here's a fun idea from nurturestore.co.uk. Take a long, narrow piece of paper and fold it in half, then in half again. You've now got a little "zig zag" book for your child to write whatever comes out of that creative little mind.

Highlighted Paper

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:50:01 EST

A tip for improving handwriting is to use highlighted paper.

For a free download of highlighed paper, visit: blog.maketaketeach.com.

Valentine's Creative Writing

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:19:24 EST

Here's a really fun creative writing assignment from thelocoteacher.blogspot.com. Visit their site for the free download.

Dance Mat Typing

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:03:51 EST

With such a technology driven world, typing skills are more important than ever, even for kids. Here's a fun website that teaches the basics of typing. See what it's all about at: bbc.co.uk/schools/typing.

Holiday Writing Frames

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:00:05 EST

Head on over to teachersnotebook.com for this free holiday download, plus others. Perfect for writing last minute letters to Santa!

Storybird

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 10:24:51 EST

Kids love to make their own stories, especially when paired with great animation. Check out Storybird- a great website that allows kids to make their own stories and use great artwork. You can also print them out if you choose.

Thanksgving Writing Prompts

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:18:43 EST

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts For Younger Students

What does "thankful" mean to you?
Why do we say "thank you?"
What do we do at Thanksgiving?
What holiday do we celebrate this week?
When should we say "thank you"?
What do you remember about Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts For Older Students

What three people are you the most grateful for, in your life, and why?
What was the best Thanksgiving you ever had? Describe it.
Write about a time that you were not grateful, and became more grateful. What changed your thinking?
What are your family's traditions for the Thanksgiving holidays?
What do you plan to do this Thanksgiving holiday?
Write about a typical Thanksgiving holiday with your family. What do you see, hear, taste, smell, and feel? Give as many details as possible.
What Thanksgiving food would you like to learn to cook, and why?

(Taken from: journalinghelps.com)

Spelling City

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:51:11 EST

This is a fantastic resource! Just type in your spelling words and this website gives you games, flash cards, crossword puzzles, and quizzes on your personal words. Check it out here!

Free Literacy Worksheets

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 09:51:28 EST

Visit mrsriccaskindergarten.blogspot.com for these free worksheets and many more.

Said is Dead

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:39:21 EST

For this free download, visit: writeonfourthgrade.blogspot.com

10 top tips to get kids writing

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:37:19 EST

1) Have your kids write your shopping list when you head out to do some errands and then be in charge of reading out the list and ticking off the items as you shop.

2) When you're planning your child's birthday party, put them in charge. Let them write the guest list and send out the invitations.

3) Make a holiday planner. Whatever the season, take a big piece of paper and create your own calendar of events. Put the kids in charge of the drawing and writing and let them suggest some fun ideas to include on the schedule.

4) Getting a real-life handwritten letter through the post is exciting at any age, so find your child a pen-pal and encourage some letter writing. You could pair up with a friend or send a note to a grandparent.

5) If your child loves to imagine and create you could give this a twist and set up a fairy post box to write magical letters – and drop them a reply after they've gone to bed, ready to discover in the morning.

6) When you go on vacation, take some time to send a postcard - either to a friend or even back to your own address, to see if the card makes it home before you do.

7) Make a scrap book with your child, full of photos, drawings and diary entries – perhaps a diary of your vacation or a garden journal. Mixing up how you record things can be great for reluctant writers. One of my daughters loves to draw, but not to write so much. I find though that if we decide to do both, it turns out that she does a lot more writing than she would do otherwise.

8) Make your own comic- to share or even to sell to friends. As with the scrap book, using lots of pictures can be a great way to sneak in some writing too.

9) Make your own birthday cards and have your child write the note inside and the address on the envelope. Then buy the stamp and post the letter together.

10) With action kids, use a pencil and paper or a chalk on the wall outside, any time you're playing a game together, so your child can write down the scores. This is a great way for competitive kids to get writing!

(Taken from: kidsactivitiesblog.com)

Back to School Interview

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:45:02 EST

Here's a fun idea for the memory book. Interview your child with this fun free download from www.petitelemon.com, or let your child fill it out on their own. Then save it for the ages!

Ways to spice up your writing

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 18:19:12 EST

(Taken from: luckeyfrogslilypad.blogspot.com)

Stretch a Sentence!

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 15:08:38 EST

Questions to ask when writing descriptive sentences:

(Taken from: teacherspayteachers.com- visit for a free digital download of this poster)

All About My Grandpa

Tue, 29 May 2012 16:29:23 EST

Let's not forget about our grandpas this Father's Day. Here's a fun way to get your kids thinking about Grandpa and doing a little writing too!

All About My Dad

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:19:12 EST

Now that Mother's Day is over, it's time to start thining about dear old Dad. Visit www.bigdandme.com for this printable to fill out.

World's Best Mom

Tue, 01 May 2012 16:52:15 EST

Get ready for Mother's Day by printing out this cute newspaper card from marthastewart.com and having a child fill it out for their mom.

Literary Devices Printouts

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:55:25 EST

Teachersnotebook.com makes a great set of literary devices posters that you can download for free. A great idea is to print them off in a smaller size, laminate them, and clip them together with a brad for a quick reference with examples.

Compound Word Cubes

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:31:34 EST

Here's a great idea for learning compound words from: thefirstgradesweetlife.blogspot.com. Using Unifix cubes (found at local teacher supply stores), write each part of several compound words in different colors. Next, break them up, put them in a bag, and have kids pick them out of the bag and put them together into appropriate words.

Another variation is to break all of the pieces up and then have the kids sort the colors and unscramble them to make a compound word.

Shaving Cream Writing

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:43:59 EST

Here's a fun tactile way of helping children write the sounds they hear by using shaving cream on a table or other hard surface. When it comes time for clean up, scrape off as much shaving cream as possible. Rub the remaining cream into the table until it disappears. Wipe tape down with a Clorox Wipe. DO NOT use water to clean the table.

(Idea taken from: www.readingresource.net)

Custom Handwriting Worksheets

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:23:28 EST

At www.handwritingworksheets.com, you can make full-page custom handwriting worksheets in an instant. You can choose from print, cursive, or d'nealian style, type in the content you want the child to work on, select the letter size and color, and then print it out. What a great resource!

Common Homophones

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:26:12 EST

Homophones are words that are pronounced the same, often spelled differently, and have different meanings. These can give your little writers trouble. Here's a great visual to show some of the most common homophones in the English language.

Taken from: www.tx.english-ch.com

Angry Birds activities

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:46:19 EST

Need a way to make language fun? Angry Birds should do the trick! Check out www.speechroomnews.blogspot.com for some fun ideas of how to incorporate Angry Birds into learning activities.

You'll find writing printouts, as well as a card game, and other fun ideas.

Evolution of a Child's Writing

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:13:48 EST

Other Ways to Say...

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:25:12 EST

A great resource for descriptive words when writing essays:

Mom & Me Journals

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:09:07 EST

What a fun way to keep connected with your child and practice writing at the same time! www.mama-jenn.blogspot.com gives the great idea of keeping a correspondence journal between you and your child. She started off with this initial entry:

Dear KJ,

Would you like to be my pen pal? Instead of mailing letters to each other, we can keep them here in this notebook. Does that sound like fun?

I will write to you and then leave the notebook on your bed. Then, when you want to write me back you can begin writing on the next page and leave the notebook on my bed when you are done.

You can write about anything! It can be funny or serious! Just write about whatever is on your mind! :-)

I am so excited and I hope that you are excited too!

Love,

Mom

P.S. Write back soon! :-)

Great idea!!

Using My Writer's Eyes

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:06:59 EST

Important tips for kids to think about when writing:

Taken from: www.candauscrew.blogspot.com

Conversation Starters

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:24:01 EST

Not only are these great conversation starters, they could also be great writing prompts. Ask the questions and let the writing begin!

Spooky Mistakes

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:06:31 EST

Click here for a free download of worksheets practicing capitalization, contractions, punctuation, and spelling with a little Halloween fun.

Letter writing

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:29:12 EST

Looking for a way to introduce letter writing? Use this concept:

(Taken from www.mrsnielson-2ndgrade.blogspot.com)

Also, try reading this old classic:

It's an old favorite used in classrooms for years to introduce different kinds of letters. Tucked in envelopes, you can pull out actual letters written to and from storybook characters. Your child will love it, and you will too!

Punctuation

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:33:50 EST

A funny way to stress the importance of proper punctuation-

Picture Writing Prompts

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:18:12 EST

A great way to get kids writing is to give them a picture and then have them write about it.

They can write what they think led up to the occurence in the picture, what is currently happening, what is going to happen next, etc. They can also write about the people in the pictures- what they think their backgrounds are and what they're feeling. You can find tons of colorful and interesting pictures in the photo galleries of www.kids.nationalgeographic.com.

Spaghetti Spelling

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:24:21 EST

Need a way to make spelling practice more fun? Try giving your child some cooked spaghetti noodles and have them spell out words from their spelling list.

What Do Writers Write?

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:26:19 EST

Learning to write encompasses a lot more than just essays. Encourage your child to write in all different forms.

Paint Bag Writing Tablet

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:10:50 EST

Here's a fun and different way for young learners to practice writing letters and numbers.

Grab a freezer ziploc bag and fill it with finger paint or tempera paint. Seal it (put some packing tape across the top if you're worried about it getting opened), and then smoosh the paint all around the bag.

Tape the bag down to a hard surface to avoid wiggling and then doodle away using just your finger or a Q-tip. To start over, just smoosh the paint around again and it looks like new. Fun!

Commonly Misused Words

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:15:45 EST

Memory Jars

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:24:57 EST

Need a clever way to get your kids writing? Keep a memory jar with spare pieces of paper. Throughout the year, your family can write down their favorite memories as they happen. Open up the jar on New Year's Eve and read them all as a great way to remember your year.