Journal Writing ~ Summer Challenge

This summer challenge your child to keep a journal. I used to tutor students over the summer and I would always start my sessions by having the child write in his or her journal. I would give them 5-10 minutes (longer if they would like) to write about anything from my list of topics. I usually would give them three choices and they choose the one that they liked the best. We would paste it on to the page and then the child would proceed to write.

The beauty of journal writing is that it pours from the child's heart and mind. It is imaginative, creative, and exciting. Journal writing is not to be graded, critiqued, nor judged. It is writing in it's PUREST form. I LOVE IT!

There are many ways of making journal writing fun for your child. Here are the steps that I came up with:


1. Let your child choose their own journal and then let them personalize it! (Try the Dollar Store.) They need to take ownership of this very special writing space.


2. Let your child choose their own writing utensil. (I always let my students use a pen for their journal writing. Not only is it EXCITING for a child to write with a pen, but they cannot erase any of their mistakes which reinforces writing in it's PUREST form. I love that!)


3. Share some of your journals with your child. (I always loved to share my own journal entries from when I was in elementary school with my students.)


4. Take a few minutes before writing to model to your child what journal writing looks like.

5. Give your child a few topics to choose from to write about. (If they would rather write about something that they thought of, then that is great too!)

Here is a list that I used with my students:

  

Journal Prompts (ideas)

Cut out an idea and paste it in your journal.

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Write about a time when you were brave, or finish this sentence: I am brave because . . .

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Write about a time when you were helpful.

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Write about something or things that you do well.

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Write about three things that make you interesting.

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Write about a time when you were honest.

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Write about a time when you were dishonest.

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Write about favorite things to do at recess



Write about your best friends. Who are they? Why do you like them? What do you do together for fun?

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If you could have any animal in the world for a pet what animal would it be? Shark? Piranha? Alligator? Leech? Why?

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What country would you like to visit? Why?

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Write about the most exciting thing that ever happened to you.

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Write about a time when you were nice to someone in your family.

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Write about books that you like

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Write about your home

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Write about things you play with

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Write about soccer or other sports you like

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Write about your favorite foods

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Write about your school

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Write about your family

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Write about the world

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Write about yourself (describe yourself or write about your interests)

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Write about animals

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Write about your friends

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Write about a vacation

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Write about your favorite activity

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Write about your favorite candy

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Write about your favorite toy

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Write about your favorite computer or video game

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Write about what you are doing during summer vacation

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Write about what you do after the school day is over

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Write about how you are feeling

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Write about your favorite drink

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Write about a favorite friend

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Write about one way you can be kind to animals.

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Write about a time when you were mean to someone in your family.

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If you could have anything in the world what would it be?

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If you could be any super hero or video game character who would you be and why? What would you do?

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What would you do with a million dollars? And why?

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Write about a goblin named Billy who is blue and green and slimy.

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Write about yourself. What color is your hair? What do you look like? Write details.

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Pretend you are the president of the United States. What would you do?

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What would you do if you had magical powers?

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Write about an embarrassing moment. What happened? Who was there?

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Would you like to be on TV? Why? What would you like to do?

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If you were a pencil, what would you do? Or what would you draw?

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Write about your favorite cartoon character. Why is it your favorite?

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Who are your favorite sports players? What sports do they play?

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Write details about your life. Where were you born? Who do you live with? Where have you lived?

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Write about what would happen if one morning you woke up and you were a stuffed animal.

6. Allow your child enough time to write a page or so depending on their ability level. Encourage 

your child to add details in their writing.

7. Finally invite your child to read their entry aloud to you! ENJOY!

Happy Journal Writing!!!

**Don't forget about our AWESOME GIVEAWAY!!!

Getting Ready to Write

As soon as Owen showed some interest in writing, I immediately started planning his own little writing center. I looked online at Ikea and found a perfect sized desk and chair for his room. I haven't bought it yet because I decided that I might start searching garage sales to find something that I can paint a fun color and rough up a bit. But this is my new project right now; and I want to get it up and running soon.

Now it might seem early for Owen to be interested in something like this since he is only 15 months, BUT it is important that we set the scene and mood when introducing new skills such as writing. I want Owen to be excited about it and as he gets older learn to grow to LOVE it.

So as I wait to buy/create his own little writing space, I have been busy making some crayon rolls for his "special" crayons to go in.

Owen loves to take the crayons out and in of their slots as well as scribble on paper. He especially loves to do this during church.

It rolls up so nicely and compact to take anywhere.

It was super easy and cheap to make and you can find the tutorial HERE.

And because it was so fun to make I decided to go crazy and make about 4 more for gifts.

Here is a girlie version:

Getting started is important as well as helping your child feel motivated and excited about learning.

What have you done or plan to do to help your child want to learn?

Also, don't forget to check out our AMAZING GIVEAWAY below!

Spelling Word Practice

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The dreaded spelling word practice is (as you probably know) a very important part of your student's week. I know from personal experience that many children do not enjoy spelling practice UNLESS it is fun. How can we make it fun?? Definitely NOT by the boring and not very effective "write your spelling words 3 times each" practice but instead by playing fun, educational games that will keep your students' interest throughout the entire week.

Here is a list of some of the activities I did with my first graders throughout the week that can be done at home:

*Find the Word - Have your child write his spelling words on pieces of paper or postcards. Then, without him looking, tape them on the walls throughout the house and have him become a detective and go searching for the lost words. Don't forget to have him take his handy notebook that might be a special "spelling word notepad" and a fun writing instrument such as a glitter pen or marker. Also, have him take the list of spelling words too so he knows what he's looking for. Every time he looks at the word, provides extra practice. As he finds his words have him make a list and write them down. Next have him tell you or a sibling the words he found by reading them out loud.  Then you can check his list by reading them to him and having him spell them back to you.

*Spelling Word Dance Off - Using your stack of note cards that have the spelling words written out, write additional words to add to the stack. These words can be sight words your child is currently working on at school. They can be any type of word as long as your child can read them. Next play some music and have your child begin to dance. Using your stack of words (that are shuffled up) hold up each word one by one while your child is watching and each time your child sees a spelling word have him FREEZE and pause the music. In order to become unfrozen and continue to dance he has to spell the word correctly without looking. Once he spells it correctly you can play the music again and continue on with the game until all spelling words have been spelled.

*Spelling Word Word Search - This is self explanatory. Have your child write his spelling words scattered about on a white piece of paper. Make sure he writes them neatly and in the same direction. Next have him fill in any blanks with the letters from the alphabet until his words are hidden. Last, using another fun writing instrument, have him find his words and circle them. You can then check that he has found all of his words and once again have him spell them back to you. If your child finds the words too easily, you can create the word search to make it more challenging.

*White Boards or Magnets - This one is plain and simple yet fun because it's different. Simply read your child his spelling words as he spells them on a whiteboard or with magnets. Children learn in all different ways and by simply switching up the way they create a word you are aiding in their learning success.

By doing one of these a day (or more of course!) you are helping your child learn each word in a fun and interactive way. No more whining about practicing spelling words! At the end of the week, have your child do an actual practice test before his real test so he can practice writing the word as you read it aloud by itself and in a sentence. This way he will be ready for the real thing and not feel anxious and instead feel confident.

Great Learning Tool

I usually don't like to promote something that might cost some mula, however I saw this awesome learning tool at the library with my son the other day and I fell in love. I am thinking of investing in some myself. Of course my one year old might need to gain a little more advanced fine motor skills before he will use and enjoy them. But that will come soon enough!

{Magnetic Learning Numbers and Letters at Lakeshore}

As you can tell in the picture, you use the magnetic stick to trace or write the number with the magnetic ball inside. This is a great way for your beginner writers to practice writing their numbers AND letters. This product is also sold with letters too! My son was already interested in holding the stick and trying to make the ball move. I imagine in just a year or so he will be ready to use it the right way. I love finding different ways to introduce a new topic or to practice and this seems to be just the ticket.

Pass the Plate....

A fun, easy and cheap game.

This is a timed game where a group of children (or just you and your child) sit in a circle with a paper plate. Give them (or your child) an allotted time to write as many words as they can in a certain category as they pass the plate. Your child or the group of children can receive points for the amount of words they write. To make it fun, play a song and when it stops or when you pause it,  your child or the group will know they need to stop. I played this with my students and had them put their marker or pencil up in the air when the song stopped so I would know they weren't writing still. 

Ideas for categories: 

Word Families.....If you have a first or second grade child you know what they are. A word family is a group of words that all have something in common. An example of a word family is "ate" found in plate, skate, fate, slate, etc. All of these words have the ending "ate" thus making them a word family. If this is the family you're working on then write "ate" in the middle of the plate with large letters. To play the game your child will write one word that ends in "ate" somewhere on the plate, then he will pass it to you and it will be your turn. OR he will continue to write as many words as possible until you stop the music or say times up! Either way provides great vocabulary practice as well as spelling, reading and writing practice.

Grammar: Write the word "noun" in the middle of the plate and have your child write words that are nouns: person, place, thing or an animal around the word. Of course this can be done with adjective, verb, pronoun, adverb and so on. 

Math: Write "+2 for #'s 1-10" your child will then take all the numbers, 1 through 10, and add 2 to them. He will write his addition sentence like so: 1+2=3 another one would be 2+2=4 and 3+2=4...and so on. Of course you can do this with any math fact: -5 for #'s 10 through 20 OR X's 5 for # 1 through 5. Anything can work!

I'm sure as you think about this game more and more ideas will pop into your mind that can individually help YOUR child with skills she's working on in school at home.

Make it FUN. Give "skittle" points for correct answers or stickers to tell her she's done a great job. This will be a fun way to practice at home and make your child WANT TO LEARN. Just another trick to pull out of your bag! This handy game can be taken ANYWHERE, in the car, on vacation or to grandma's house. 

Have fun with it!

Love Mail

Day 6

Who doesn't LOVE to receive mail? Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to send those you love a sweet letter in the mail. Hand writing letters is a lost art. It is one of my favorite hobbies and has been since I was a little girl. Growing up I loved to write to my long list of pen-pals. Take this chance to sit down with your child/children and see what they know about writing a letter. 

Beginner's Basic Letter Writing

(Geared toward ages 7-9, but may be adapted to ages 3 and up)

1. First begin by making a list of what your child already knows about letter writing. This is fun to hear what they know goes into creating a letter that you will mail. Ask questions like: "Who do you write letters to?" "What do you write in a letter?" "How do we mail letters?" etc. 

2. Based on your child's background knowledge you may begin the process of writing a letter. 

Dear _____________,

    (Indent--3 finger spaces.) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

                               Love, ______________

It's nice to provide your child with lines and some prompts to help them get started. You could always do what my 2nd graders referred to as a SLOPPY COPY first and then have them copy their letter on to a beautiful hand made card! Encourage your child to ask their reader questions and inform them of exciting things that are happening in their own life. 

3. I say the more ART the better! Have your child draw pictures, borders, or color the letter to add personality. I always loved using stickers to decorate my letters when I was young.

4. ADDRESSING the ENVELOPE! This is a very important part of the letter writing. Rather than having Mom or Dad do it, take the opportunity to teach your child how to address the envelope properly. Here is an example below.

5. Have your child drop it in the mailbox! 

Letter writing is a wonderful way to promote good hand writing since they are writing for someone else to read. It is empowering for young children to write for a purpose. I know that I LOVED getting my pen pals response letters in the mail and could hardly wait to write them back and answer their questions! 

Have fun writing some LOVE MAIL this week to all those special Valentines!

Day 3

Sweet and Simple

Love Notes

Writing notes throughout the day to your children, your children to you, to friends and to family is a great way to show each other how much you care. Of course I need to tie it in educationally: writing notes is also a great way to practice handwriting, complete sentences and grammar! 

Ways to make your love letters fun:

Use fun paper and fun ways to fold/decorate them

Write your letters on cookies! 

It is always fun to find love notes hidden in places throughout the day and children LOVE to surprise people and feel good that they are making others feel loved.

As always, this activity can be adapted to any and all age groups! If you have more questions about how you can adapt this activity (or any other activity!) please let us know!