The Write Start (15 page)

Variations

For Scribblers:
Pre-writers will certainly enjoy eating a plate full of ABCs. Try using a squeeze bottle or turkey baster to carefully squirt pancake batter onto your skillet in the shape of alphabet letters. If you are truly talented, write the letters backward (the flip side always comes out better).

For Spellers:
New writers love cutting out cookie dough, and almost anything else, with alphabet cookie cutters. (Try also cutting cheese slices, fried eggs, sandwiches, toast, or tortillas.) The cookie cutters allow Spellers to select specific letters to work with so they can form an edible word. Y-U-M!

For Storytellers:
Storytellers can form letter shapes on their own, by rolling out pretzel, cookie, pizza, or bread dough into long snakes. Have them shape the dough into letter shapes, bake, and eat! Will they be able to resist the temptation to eat their letters long enough to form an entire sentence? Well, that’s another tale.

For Scholars:
Spaghetti for your thoughts? Alphabet macaroni (or oh-so-shapeable spaghetti) can be used to write out oodles of ideas.

9

Alphabox

W
HEN PRESENTED WITH A BOX
, most people respond in one of two ways. There are the box shakers, who rattle, turn, and examine the box, hoping to glean a clue to its contents. And there are those who relish the imminent surprise.

Most kids fall in the curious category when it comes to boxes with unknown contents. Hence the appeal of the alphabox. The concept is simple: sneak an interesting object into a box, place the box where it will be discovered, and wait for inquisitive kids to peek inside. (You won’t have to wait long; it’s just plain irresistible.)

Once they’ve taken a look at the contents, challenge them to write the starting sound or the name of the object on the top of the box. Not only are they learning to use symbols to represent objects (one of the most basic tenets of writing), but they are also practicing their writing skills as they play along.

 

M
ATERIALS

 

∗
sturdy box with a lid that closes

∗
chalkboard paint

∗
interesting objects

∗
chalk

 

H
OW-TO:

 

1.  Paint the top of the box with chalkboard paint.

2.  When the box is dry, hide an interesting object in it and leave it somewhere where your child will stumble upon it.

3.  When the box is found, tell your child to write the first letter of the name of the secret object on the top of the box.

4.  If they guess right, replace the secret object with another one, hide the box somewhere else, and watch the fun continue.

 

Variations

For Scribblers:
Stick to hiding objects with simple shapes (such as a pencil, ball, or block) in the box, and have your pre-writers draw the shape they discover.

For Spellers:
The ability to identify starting sounds is an essential skill for emerging writers. Put familiar objects in the box first, and then proceed to more challenging objects.

For Storytellers:
Encourage Storytellers to write the entire name of the secret object.

For Scholars:
Up the ante by daring more confident writers to take a guess at the item in the box without peeking. Give them some cryptic clues, and, after they write their guess, let them open the box to see how they did.

10

Luck of the Draw

A
LL WRITING EVOLVES
from drawing. While drawing, children experiment with the lines, curves, and shapes that they will soon use to make letters. They develop and refine their grasp of various writing tools. They learn to coordinate their eyes with their hands as they doodle, color, and sketch. They learn to tell stories with images. And they learn that if they can envision something, they can make it a reality on the page.

Because it builds creativity, control, coordination, and confidence, drawing should be encouraged at home. Motivate your children to draw often and with enthusiasm by setting an example. Don’t be self-conscious about your drawing skills—the product doesn’t matter, it’s the process that counts. Stick figures are welcome here. Get the picture?

 

M
ATERIALS

 

∗
colored pencils, crayons, markers, or a graphite pencil

∗
plain paper or drawing paper (see “
Drawing Paper
” in the templates section)

 

H
OW-TO

 

1.  Set aside a special time for drawing on a regular basis. Grab some colorful writing tools and a stack of paper and gather around the table to illustrate some of your brightest ideas.

2.  Share your drawings with each other and display them somewhere you can admire them.

 

Variations

For Scribblers:
When you draw alongside Scribblers, think abstract expressionism rather than realism. What I mean is, don’t draw what they can’t. It frustrates them and makes them question their abilities. Instead, channel your own inner Scribbler. Cover your paper with bright colors and broad strokes. You’ll probably find it’s even more fun than you remember.

For Spellers:
Introduce emerging writers to the concept that artists sign their work. When they finish a drawing, direct them to put their signatures in the corner, a habit almost as valuable as the art itself.

For Storytellers:
Storytellers are ready for drawing paper, which is paper that has blank space at the top (for a picture) and lines at the bottom (for words). Here is where children become author-illustrators, and the words and the pictures become complementary to one another.

For Scholars:
Because Scholars have big ideas, they can branch out to more detailed drawings. Think: comic strips, storyboards, blueprints, shop drawings, charts, maps, and diagrams.

Make

 

Whether children are Scribblers ready for the next step, Spellers forming letters, Storytellers honing their craft, or Scholars learning cursive, the activities in this next section will help you to help them.

Any time you help your children to craft something that encourages writing, be prepared to be amazed by the results. Kids that know how to create their own writing-based tools tend to use them for their intended purpose. Often. And that means plenty of writing will follow. On top of that, making stuff that requires writing—such as signs and newspapers—teaches children that, when it comes to being a creative writer, the sky’s the limit. Don’t be surprised if they start coming up with their own inventive ideas. Begin by introducing your kids to the activities in the next section. Resourceful young writers will be able to take it from there.

 

11

Air Mail

L
OOKING FOR THE PERFECT WAY
to help your children’s writing skills take off? Just show them how to send messages via airmail (aka turning notes into paper airplanes), and watch their enthusiasm for writing soar.

Making paper airplanes is a classic childhood pursuit. Turning messages into airplanes, however, takes the fun to a whole new level. What can be better than seeing your thoughts (literally) take flight? Now that’s a special delivery!

Plain or ruled paper works great for this activity. Have a stack at the ready, because once kids catch on, they tend to become frequent flyers. This is also a fantastic activity for your children to do with a buddy—jetting messages back and forth is even more fun with a friend.

An added bonus of airmail? All that folding really helps build kids’ fine motor skills. And that’s really something to write home about!

 

M
ATERIALS

 

∗
a piece of standard 8½ × 11 inch paper

∗
writing tool of choice

 

H
OW-TO

 

Show kids how to turn a letter-sized page of their writing into a paper airplane following these instructions.

 

1.  Fold the paper in half lengthwise to create a line down the center. Then unfold it.

2.  Fold the top two corners down to meet the center line, creating a triangle at the top of the paper.

3.  Fold the top part of the triangle down so that the point of the triangle meets the center crease about one inch above the bottom of the paper.

4.  Fold the new top corners down to meet the center line as you did before. There should be a little triangle peeking out from below the new top triangle.

5.  Fold your paper along the center line in the opposite direction of your original fold.

6.  Fold each diagonal edge of the paper down so that it meets the edge with the center fold. Unfold these “wings” slightly.

7.  Holding the plane by its center fold, point the nose up in the air, and lett-er rip!