Writer's Workshop Deconstructed: Part 3

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! 

Comments

[Mariah@Playful Learning]

So many wonderful ideas... I love the wooden clothespins with the letters on them and the rolodex is brilliant.

We added a "name chest" to our writing center as another way to learn family names.
http://tinyurl.com/cnmoat

Thanks again for sharing your expertise and creative activities :)

[Christy]

I adore this writing center. I don't have such large scale plans yet, but you've inspired me to create a writing kit for my daughter who's in kindergarten. It will be her V-day gift this year. Thanks for the great ideas!

[Mozi Esme's Mommy]

The end already?! I've really been enjoying this - thanks for sharing...

[exhale. return to center.]

I love the rolodex (and everything else)!!!! Thank you!

So...what do we get to drool over next???? ;-)

[Anna]

Thank you. What a wonderful tour of your writers workshop. While day dreaming of that Rolodex I thought it would be fun to let my son cut out picture of things, past to cards and then let him file them in the Rolodex. Now we may need two!

[Shelley Laming]

What wonderful ideas! Thank you so much for sharing with us. I am always inspired by your blog.

[Nicki]

Thanks for sharing this, such a great idea. I am in the process of setting one up for my two.

[brandy]

I really love your writers workshop.

[Katherine Marie]

SUCH a MARVELOUS INSPIRATION!!!! I just finished mine--- it was such a fun project to work on!

I ADORE everything about your center and I really really appreciate your ideas and suggestions. My son loves your rolodex idea.

And a note about chalk boards--- just to feed your addiction--- I found several beautiful vintage slates for cheap at our local antique store!!

Letter manipulatives--- Hobby Lobby has durable chip board style letters that we added to your suggestions.

HAPPY WRITING!!!! THANKS AGAIN!

[Claire]

Thank you for sharing all your wonderful ideas. Some great ones I hadn't thought of. Now I just have to work out how to prevent my 18 month old from trashing our writing area while his 3 yo sister struggles to keep it tidy!

Letter manipulatives - I remember loving Letraset letters (dry transfer).

Also old (or current) diaries and calendars are great for writing areas...

[Jean-Marie]

My daughter is 5 and she is quite the letter writer. I made an address book for her when she was 3. Since I'm pretty handy with photoshop I made each page a 4x6 photo print and stuck them in one of those soft little $2 photo album books you can find at Target.

On each page is a pic of the person on the left side with their affectionate name above the pic, like Daddy or Mimi or Omi. On the left I have their real name and address next to a tiny home, a phone number next to a tiny phone and a mobile phone number next to a tiny mobile phone.

Finally,there is a small picture of a front of a white envelope addressed to the person and my daughter's return address, so she can copy it exactly to address her envelopes. She uses her book religiously. Two days ago she handed me 2 notes for her friends - sealed and addressed - to stamp and mail for her. This was one of my better (and more successful) ideas to encourage writing and independence. I would be more than happy to share a pic or two of the address book with you if you want to email me directly.

Love your site! Just found it! So many GREAT ideas here!