More Writer's Workshop secrets revealed:
Right now we are using the old Rolodex to organize (and alphabetize) the names, phone numbers, and addresses of Jack's family and friends. I am hoping this will eventually inspire some letter-writing (the kind you put in the mailbox, in addition to the A-B-C kind).
I put an old cell phone (a pre-text-messaging, pre-picture-taking, pre-MP3-playing phone that actually resembles an ancient artifact more than a cell phone) next to it for some practice dialing, pretend phone conversations, and phone-message-taking (oh yeah, it's also pre-voice mail).
A Rolodex is a great tool, especially because it spins around, and therefore kids think it's really cool. Hey, I can't blame them. I think it's pretty cool myself. I envision this would be a great gadget for organizing sight words for older kids or for creating a word bank for emerging readers. Can you think of any other possibilities?
Oh, I forgot to mention the best part. It actually has a lock and key, which elevates it to the status of super-cool in Jack's book. Of course all of his contacts are confidential, and are for his eyes only.
So no peeking, okay?
Speaking of friends and family, I made some word rings to help him write some of his most favorite words.
Names.
The first words that kids are motivated to write are usually the names of everyone they know. They master their own name first and then Mommy and Daddy, sisters and brothers names, cousins and friends. So here they all are, ready to be flipped to and written over and over again.
(The basic how-to on these: I cut cardstock into strips, wrote the names of VIPs, punched holes, and secured with binder clips from the office-supply store.)
In the last basket, I'm going to rotate some alphabet-related manipulatives. Right now I have clothespins that I simply wrote letters on (we like to use them like this). I also might put magnetic letters, wood letters or letter blocks, scrabble tiles, alphabet stickers, or A-B-C cookie cutters in this spot to mix it up a bit. Any other ideas?
So now I've shared all the secrets of our Young Writer's Workshop. We've come to the end. Or have we? Actually, it's just the beginning. When you dedicate a little corner to pencil-and-paper pursuits, you are sure to encourage and inspire your young writer. Maybe it will be the start of something big, the first stop on the road to writing success.
Enjoy the ride!
