• WRITING WORKSHOP: This will be our fourth year implementing the Lucy Calkins
    approach to writing as an entire school. Each day we start with a Mini-Lesson that
    targets one specific writing strategy, which will eventually become evident in your
    child’s own writing. The goal of this Mini Lesson is for children to generalize these
    strategies to all of their writing. We will often use the work of various authors
    (teacher, student, published author) to inspire our own writing and drive the Mini
    Lesson for the day.
    At this age level, students write a lot of personal narratives. Parents can help their
    children come up with writing topics by taking real life experiences and discussing the
    most important part. Inside your folder today is a piece of white card stock. Please
    spend some time with your child choosing photographs and pictures that represent
    special people, places, and favorite activities. These can provide a “jumping off point”
    for story ideas. Please label with names of people and places. Be sure to print clearly.
    Be aware that these will not come back in the condition they were received.
    WRITING BAGS: These are bags for the children to practice their writing in a fun
    way at home. All bags have specific directions included with them. All children are
    encouraged to write their own story themselves no matter what their writing and
    spelling skills may be. If you would like to write on the back of their paper what they
    have written to make things easier during share time that would be appreciated. But
    please remember, the purpose of the bags are for the children to practice their
    writing and read their messages to their classmates during share time.
            
                   HOW PARENTS CAN HELP WITH WRITING
    Parents should try to give their child many opportunities to write.
    Naturally occurring situations such as invitations, thank you notes, and
    letters to friends and family provide wonderful opportunities for writing.
    The following are some additional suggestions:
    1. Leaves notes around the house for your child and in your child’s lunch box.
    2. Encourage your child to keep a diary or a scrapbook.
    3. Have plenty of paper, envelopes, special markers, and pens and pencils available
    4. Have your child make gift cards instead of buying them.
    5. Reward any attempts at writing. Do not focus on mistakes. Point out what your
    child did correctly. For example, if they spelled cat “ct”, praise him/her for
    getting the beginning and ending sounds rather than telling them they forgot the
    letter “a”. Focus on the positive to build their confidence
Last Modified on June 29, 2011