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Writer's Notebook
Have some kind of “writing notebook” or “journal” for your child to use
at home. This can be any type of notebook, but a spiral notebook is an
inexpensive way to provide a space for your child to write. Of course,
your child can write any time and about anything, but another good idea
for writing is in response to a story that you read together. After
reading a book, let your child draw a picture and write about what he
read. This could be his favorite part, a favorite character, or
anything about the story. Younger children may only draw pictures, but
they will begin writing words when they are ready. Your child may
become so excited about this writing practice, that he will immediately
ask you to read another book so he can draw and write again!
Adapted from Read a Story, Draw a Picture, Reading Connection,
October 2007
Writing Games to Play
Looking for an easy way to
get your youngster to practice writing? Have her make a list. She'll
learn that writing has a purpose, and she'll work on spelling and
handwriting, too.
Ask her to:
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Make a list for a treasure
hunt (white rock, feather, acorn)
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Jot down weekend activities,
such as going to the playground or having a friend over
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Keep track of a collection.
Say something like, "Let's write down the names of all your dolls."
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Create a "wish list" for a
birthday or holiday.
Tip: Be sure to use
your child’s list. For example, read over her weekend list,and find
time for a few activities.
From
Reading Connection, October 2007
that you can do at home!!
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Magnet Letters - Ask your child to make
words with magnet letters. Leave the same rime (word family) up and
change the letters that are at the beginning. For example: put up
-at, and change the beginning letter to h, c, m, b, spl, ch. Also,
practice spelling the sight words.
**Hint: magnet letters are available at
Wal-Mart for about $1.00. Use the refrigerator as your magnetic
surface!!
a g h z h c a t j k s l t
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Concentration - Make pairs of words by
writing the same word on two cards. Turn the cards facedown and have
your child flip over two cards. If they match, and he/she can read the
word, he can keep the cards; if not, turn the cards back over, and try
again!!
Hint: have your child write his./her own words!
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Searching for Words - Using books,
magazines, or newspapers, challenge your child to find and record as
many words as possible. To make it more difficult, , have your child
tear/cut out letters and then glue them together to make a word.
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Tic-Tac-Toe - Draw a tic-tac-toe grid.
Write a different spelling word in each section. If a child can read
the word, he can put his X or O in the space. If not, you (the parent)
get to put your’s in that space!!
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Sing & Spell - To make spelling words
easier to learn, teach your child to sing-spell each word to a familiar
tune. For example, use the tune “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” to spell
5-letter words (n- i- g- h- t, that’s how I spell night, n- i- g- h- t,
that’s how I spell night.) The tune “Bingo” also works well for 5
letter words (There was a class that learned to spell, and this is what
they sang-o, l- u- n- c- h, l- u- n- c- h, l- u- n- c- h, and this is
what they sang-o.)
3
letters= “Three Blind Mice”
4
letters= “Are You Sleeping?” or “YMCA”
6
letters= “Skip to My Lou”, “Happy Birthday”, or “The
Farmer in the Dell”
7
letters= “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
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If You Can Spell
________, Then You Can Spell __________ - Give a word
family clue to your child by saying, “If you can spell rat---R-A-T,
then you can spell cat. Spell
cat.” Your child replies by
saying, “I can spell rat—R-A-T, and I can spell cat—C-A-T.”
Continue the activity with other words in the same family.
If your child needs additional support, write the first word
(rat) on a piece of paper so it is visible, and underline the rime
(at).
   
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Writing at Home
