The Write Start (24 page)

Variations

For Scribblers:
Scribblers can create an eye chart for their pretend doctor’s office by using fine motor-friendly alphabet stickers or stampers to make letters on a large piece of paper. And while pretending to test vision, they are getting a lesson in letter identification as well.

For Spellers:
In addition to writing simple prescriptions, Spellers enjoy making hospital bracelets by writing patient names on thin strips of paper, and then attaching them to their patients’ wrists with a piece of tape.

For Storytellers:
Storytellers can record basic patient information in a chart, such as height and weight, complaints, and doctor recommendations.

For Scholars:
Premed students (I mean Scholars) can record more technical information, such as temperature (expressed in degrees), heartbeat (how many beats per minute, or BPM), and blood pressure (written as a ratio, such as 110/80).

36

Food for Thought

I
T’S AGE-OLD WRITING ADVICE:
write what you know. And what child doesn’t know food?

Associating writing with a regular daily activity, like mealtime, is an excellent way for kids to get their writing chops. Since meals happen three times a day, every day, practice is essentially guaranteed. And although you may still insist that you’re not a short-order cook, turning the kitchen into a pretend restaurant may seem much more palatable to you when you see how it inspires your kids to write.

Aspiring restaurateurs do a bunch of writing, including:

menus

specials of the day

orders

receipts

shopping lists

recipes

open/closed signs

restroom signs

 

Whew. That’s a lot of writing. Good thing they will have some sustenance to keep them going while they work.

 

M
ATERIALS

 

∗
card stock (for menus and signs)

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flip-top notepad or copies of the guest check template (see “
Guest Check
” in the templates section)

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pencil

∗
markers or crayons

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chalkboard

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chalk

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food and kitchen gadgets (or pretend food and accessories from a play kitchen)

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tablecloth

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potholders

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waiter attire, apron, chef’s hat (optional)

 

H
OW-TO

 

1.  Help your children create menus, take orders, and write checks for real and pretend meals.

2.  Show your children how to post the specials of the day on a chalkboard or by creating a sign.

3.  If your children serve you something particularly delicious, encourage them to write the recipe on a recipe card. (My favorite kid concoction at the moment is sardine soup. Yum!)

 

Variations

For Scribblers:
Scribblers
love
to scribble orders on a flip-top memo pad, just like they see the waiters doing at their favorite restaurant.

For Spellers:
Spellers are ready to write simple menus, take orders, fill the orders in their pretend kitchen, and serve them.

For Storytellers:
The rituals of fine dining really appeal to Storytellers. They love to dress the part, spread out a tablecloth, set the table, announce the specials, and serve the food with flair.

For Scholars:
Scholars can write their own cookbooks, full of the best real, make-believe, or wacky recipes they have created.

37

(Un)Bored Game

T
HIS IS THE PERFECT ACTIVITY
to pull out of your bag of tricks the next time you hear that inevitable lament, “I’m bored.” Whether or not your kids appreciate the play on words, suggest that a board game may be the solution. But we’re not just talking about any old board game here. We’re talking about an unbearably exciting, one-of-a-kind, custom, homemade, DIY board game. Who couldn’t help but be enthused by that?

Combine one part creativity with one part competition, stir in some strategy and a lot of luck, whip it all together with some writing, and you get a recipe for an entertaining (and decidedly un-boring) activity.

 

M
ATERIALS

 

∗
pizza box or large piece of oak tag

∗
scissors

∗
markers

∗
index cards

∗
small objects or tokens (for game pieces)

 

H
OW-TO
M
AKE

 

1.  Cut the top off a pizza box, or use a large piece of oak tag to make a game board.

2.  Draw a path around the game board with markers. Indicate places to start and finish. Divide the path up into many small individual squares.

3.  Place some obstacles and landmarks around the game board, alongside your path.

4.  Write directions on index cards, such as “Move forward three spaces,” “Go back five spaces,” “Return to Start,” “Oops. You’re stuck at (name of obstacle),” or “Move ahead to (name of landmark).”

 

H
OW-TO
P
LAY

 

1.  Stack all the index cards, writing side down, in a tidy pile and place them next to the game board.

2.  Players place their game pieces on the starting spot.

3.  Players then take turns choosing a card from the top of the pile and following the directions as written.

4.  The first player to reach the finish is the winner.

 

Variations

For Scribblers:
Scribblers will need some help making a simple game board, preferably with a straight path. Using bingo markers, show them how to make game cards by either making one dot or two dots on each card to indicate how many spaces a player should move. The making and playing help develop fine-motor skills and eye-hand coordination. Fun!

For Spellers:
Spellers can write one word on each game card, and can move their pieces by spelling the word and moving one spot for each letter.

For Storytellers:
Creative Storytellers may enjoy choosing a theme for their games—such as pirate adventure, dinosaur land, or enchanted garden—and writing more detailed (and creative) instructions.

For Scholars:
Scholars can create game boards with complex paths, smaller spaces, trickier directions, and more challenging obstacles.

38

Fish Tales

P
EOPLE WHO FISH
tell great stories, especially about the one that got away. Kids have a knack for telling fish tales too. So naturally, they will love creating their own fishing game and seeing what fun letters, words, and stories they can reel in.

An added benefit of “fishing” for writing ideas is that kids develop their eye-hand coordination while they practice their storytelling skills. And since they’re having a blast, they don’t realize they’re doing it either. The more they play, the better their skills get, and the more likely they’ll get hooked. Now that’s a game that’s definitely a keeper.

 

M
ATERIALS

 

∗
string

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scissors

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ring-shaped magnet (available in most hardware stores)

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small dowel(s), about twelve inches long

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tape

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card stock or index cards

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hole punch

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paper clips

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markers