The Write Start (23 page)

Variations

For Scribblers:
You can make some name and address labels for pre-writers to affix to their envelopes. Then they can scribble, stuff, stick, seal, and stamp to their heart’s delight.

For Spellers:
Let emerging writers play with some large-sized manila envelopes, so they have more space to write the names they know.

For Storytellers:
Storytellers can practice folding letters neatly, slipping them in envelopes, sealing them up, and “addressing” them to real or imaginary friends. They may also want to add words and phrases such as, “Special Delivery,” “Fragile,” “This End Up,” “Confidential,” “Urgent,” or “Return to Sender.”

For Scholars:
Make a small address book or card file with the names and addresses of Scholars’ friends and family. Then teach them the proper positioning of all the information on an envelope. They’ll take it from there.

33

The Office

L
ITTLE KIDS HAVE BIG PLANS.
So naturally, they’re pretty comfortable with the thought of climbing the corporate ladder, even at a young age. Newbie VIPs quickly get the hang of pushing paper, sorting files, and holding meetings. And need I mention that corporate bigwigs do some big-time writing? Drafting memos, signing paychecks, writing reports, and composing contracts is all in a day’s work for young entrepreneurs. In fact, if you set them up with a nice, cushy corporate space (preferably a corner office, with a view), you might just find them minding their own business from nine to five.

 

M
ATERIALS

 

∗
paper or legal pad

∗
sticky notes

∗
index cards

∗
business cards

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letterhead (see the chapter on “
The Write Stuff
”)

∗
pens and pencils

∗
stampers and ink pad

∗
file folders

∗
in and out box

∗
old computer keyboard or laptop

∗
old telephone or toy phone

∗
briefcase

∗
office attire for dress-up: blazers, neckties, high heels, and so on (optional)

 

H
OW-TO

 

1.  To start this play scenario off right, make a nameplate. Think along the lines of “Ms. Smith” or “Mr. Jones” with “The Boss” written underneath.

2.  Show kids how to write, shuffle, stamp, sort, file, and otherwise attend to office-related paperwork.

 

Variations

For Scribblers:
Pretend it’s your pre-writer’s first day on the job. Give them a little orientation to the office, and let them observe you at work to get the idea.

For Spellers:
Spellers are particularly fond of signing their names on any and all important documents and of turning index cards into personalized business cards.

For Storytellers:
Storytellers are ready to learn about memos. Show them how to fill out the “To:” and “From:” and “Re:” (short for regarding) sections, and they can write important directives from the boss below that (see “
Memo
” in the templates section).

For Scholars:
In addition to memos, scholarly CEOs can practice writing agendas, meeting minutes, annual reports (don’t forget the pie chart!), payroll, budgets, estimates, invoices, brochures, contracts, and pink slips.

34

Private Eye

L
IFE IS FULL OF MYSTERIES.
Who forgot to put their coffee cup in the sink? Who tracked muddy footprints all over the house? Who took Dad’s screwdriver? Where did Mom leave her keys?

Little sleuths are more than willing to track down clues to solve even the most perplexing of puzzles. And how do they manage to remember all the evidence? By writing it down, of course. Whether it’s a whodunit or a whathappened or a wherediditgo, pint-sized private eyes can record all the clues in their pocket notepad until the case is closed.

 

M
ATERIALS

 

∗
flip-top memo pad

∗
pencil

∗
magnifying glass

∗
spy gear: trench coat, hat, sunglasses, newspaper (for hiding behind)

 

H
OW-TO

 

Show kids how to observe inconspicuously, gather evidence, and hunt for clues. Every lead they find should be written down in their trusty memo pad.

 

Variations

For Scribblers:
Pre-writers can practice looking at things through their magnifying glasses and scribbling in their memo pads when they see something of interest.

For Spellers:
With a little direction from you, Spellers can look for some clues, scavenger-hunt style, by checking off items on a checklist.

For Storytellers:
Storytellers can jot down clues in their memo pads and make notes about any suspicious behavior they observe.

For Scholars:
When there’s a real mystery to solve, who ya gonna call? Scholars. When there’s an actual problem in need of solving (think: socks going missing in the dryer, a strange unidentified beeping sound, someone or something knocking over your garden gnome), encourage your Scholars to conduct interviews, collect and label evidence, and canvass the witnesses.

35

What’s Up Doc?

K
IDS LOVE TO PLAY DOCTOR.
Helping someone to feel better, whether your patient is a pretending parent or an injured stuffed animal, is empowering. Plus, it’s good to be on the other side of the exam table for once. Calling the shots, so to speak.

You may want to point out to your kids that doctors do more than listen to heartbeats, test reflexes, and say, “Open up and say, ‘Aaah.’” They also write in patient charts, write prescriptions, and write down care instructions. Mini physicians can do the same when they play doctor. I know every time I get a prescription for “Take two hugs and kisses and call me in the morning,” I can’t help but feel all better. It’s a miracle cure!

 

M
ATERIALS

 

∗
blank paper or copies of a medical chart template (see “
Medical Chart
” in the templates section)

∗
manila folder

∗
stapler

∗
flip-top pad or copies of a prescription template (see “
Prescription
” in the templates section)

∗
scissors

∗
alphabet stickers or stampers with an ink pad

∗
large piece of paper

∗
paper strips (for hospital bracelets)

∗
tape

∗
doctor kit (optional)

∗
doctor dress-up: scrubs, lab coat, mask, rubber gloves (optional)

 

H
OW-TO

 

1.  Help kids make a medical chart by placing a few pages of blank paper (or copies of “
Medical Chart
” template) inside a manila file folder, on the right-hand side. Attach the paper using two or three staples along the top edge.

2.  Copy and cut out several copies of the prescription template. Turn them into a small pad by stapling them together at the top.

3.  Set up doctor’s office props and find some patients to examine (friends, siblings, parents, and stuffed animals can usually use some medical care).

4.  Encourage your children to observe and examine patients and write their findings and recommendations.