You start with children right where they are.

The big things that they need to know is that:

1. Everyone has a story to tell-even on bad days!! (probably more so on bad days!!)

2.You write like you talk. Pretend you’re telling your story to your bestest friend in the world. How would you tell him/her? If you’re wondering if it’s any good… If s/he likes it and thinks it’s great, probably other people will, too.

3. It’s OK to make mistakes!! We’ll take care of all boo-boos when we publish!!

Demonstrate good writing to them daily as a group. One fun activity to do with them is to ask them to bring in wrappers from things they eat or use. (environmental print) Like Lays Potato chips, Burger King hamburger wrappers, and so on. Come up with a story based on the things they brought in. Write it down on a large piece of chart paper. Publish it in the room or outside the classoom so all can see. Let them help you come up with characters and character actions based on what they brought in. Make sure you bring a bunch of wrappers in case the student’s forget!!

Another great idea is to have the students tell their story into a tape recorder. You can have them work with you, an assistant or an older student. The child tells his story into the tape recorder and the other person transcribes the tape once the student has finished telling his/her story.

There are litterally hundreds of ways to make childrens books. I don’t have the urls for for the sites you can go to for more information on that on this computer but, if you will email me, I can get you the address. My email is cosmickelly1968 @ yahoo .com. Children absolutely LOVE making their own books. I found it very effective to let them make their own books then have the principal, assistant principal. librarian or other specials teacher read it and make comments on the back. It helps the children to know that their work is read and appreciated.

You should develop a writing center where they can come and get scissors, tape, glue, pencils, pens, crayons, paints, at least 3 or 4 different types of papers and other objects to write and draw with. (all of my students submissions included illustrations like real authors do it) I think you should have a wide variety of things to write with and on because what they will need change depending on what they are writing about. I found a nice box for storing screws and bolts at Walmart and filled it with stickers, googly eyes for people, pets and monsters, little pom-poms for snowmen, small seashells and all sorts of things to inspire creative writing.

Most of all HAVE FUN!! Remember: If you’re not having fun how can you expect your children to be having fun!!

I can give you more ideas if I know more about the kids you’re teaching. Feel free to write me at the address I gave you above!!

Have an an AWESOME day!!

CosmicKelly 🙂

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