Helping Children Write

Today I read a short article by author, Anastasia Suen, about "Teaching Sentence Fluency with Wordless Books." She suggests using wordless picture books and letting the students write the story based on the pictures.

We did much the same technique when I worked in an elementary school library. Each year we would have the three second grade classes put into words the wonderful wordless classic, THE SNOWMAN by Raymond Briggs.

With each different class we had them decide as a group what the name of the characters in the story were to be. Then 2-3 students would be given one page of the story to tell. We would gather each group's page, put them in order, and post the entire story on the wall outside the library. The students loved this activity. They enjoyed reading the other two classes' stories as well--because even using the same illustrations, the three classes' stories differed. A wonderful way to emphasize the unlimited creativity we each possess--how we each see the world a bit differently.

What a great way to encourage young writers and readers. This activity could easily be used at home as well. The simple truth is the better a child can read and write the better he will do in school. Help your child(ren) become great readers and writers and have fun while doing it.

More Bird Stories

Normally when I think of winter birds, I picture cardinals and blue jays and sparrows. But what about seabirds--like the gulls and pelicans and terns. They hang out at the beaches even when the temperature drops.

What do these birds like to eat?

What do they sound like?

Where do they build their nests?

FEEDING THE GULLS by Deanna Calvert might be a fun to read.

Or A DAY AT SEAGULL BEACH by Karen Wallace.

Or SEEING SEABIRDS by Allan Fowler.

Did you know Herring Gulls will eat most anything? They are the ones who will steal your snacks at the beach if you're not careful.

Could you write a story about a gull who ate too much junk food at the beach and couldn't fly?

One day when it's too cold to go outside this winter, pretend you're the snack-loving gull and write about your misadventures.

Hands Up to Start a Story

The new year is a great time to start writing--a story a week would be a great goal.

All you need to start your next story is your hand.

That's right.

Place your hand flat on a piece of paper.

Trace around it.

In the center of your hand, write one sentence about the story you want to write.

A story about bringing my dog home for the first time.

Above the little finger, write "WHO."

Then above the next finger, write "WHAT."

Above the next finger, write "WHY."

Above the next finger, write "WHEN."

Above the next finger, write "WHERE."

Now fill in the information on each finger.

WHO: my dog Patches and me

WHAT: bringing Patches home from the animal shelter

WHY: to show how scared Patches was at first

WHEN: last summer for my birthday

WHERE: at my dad's house

Now, using your handy outline,

start at the beginning--

and tell your story.

Don't forget to give your story a fun title, like "A Place for Patches."

You can even add illustrations or photos.

Get ready, set, write!

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's Day is fast approaching. Dads love a homemade gifts.

Why not try writing a special poem for your dad?

Remember when we did some ACROSTIC poems here? Try that idea for a Father's Day poem.

Mega-special map reader.

Yaw-some pancake maker.

Dynamic

Arm wrestler.

Dizzy trampoline jumper.

Inventive homework helper.

Super-duper coach.

Good hugger.

Rainy day game leader.

Extra-

Amazing-

Totally the very best ever--Dad !!!

*****

Or write a story for your dad. You can make one up--a fiction story. Maybe write how your dad saved the planet from the giant worms from Pluto. This would be a fantasy story because it couldn't happen in real life.

Or write a fiction story about something silly that could really happen--like your dad deciding to open a pet store, but he ends up with way too many pets and you need to come to his rescue.

Or write a nonfiction story about an adventure that you and your dad shared in real life.

The possibilities are endless. Add your own illustrations too. Dads love that.

Father's Day is June 21. Get started today and make your dad's day something special.