The Write Start (26 page)

Variations

For Scribblers:
Instead of writing out color names on a square, have your Scribbler scribble each square with a different color crayon.

For Spellers:
Spellers can write the letters on the squares, and they will have a blast with all the alpha counting involved.

For Storytellers:
Storytellers will enjoy making up elaborate fortunes. Encourage them to be concise and to self-edit in order to fit their big ideas into such a tiny space.

For Scholars:
Scholars can show off their sophisticated writing techniques by making the words on the paper fortune-teller ornate, and they can write the fortunes in cursive if they know how.

42

Treasure Hunt

T
HERE’S NO BETTER WAY
to turn a dull day into a delight than by creating an impromptu treasure hunt. Around here, anytime we have something a little special to give someone, we secret it away, and then get to work writing and hiding hints to locate it. The way we look at it, the only thing better than getting an unexpected gift is finding it by following clever clues. Hunting for the booty is irresistibly fun; it’s worth its weight in gold!

 

M
ATERIALS

 

∗
little trinket, treasure, or fun object

∗
scrap paper

∗
pencil

 

H
OW-TO

 

1.  The best way to organize a treasure hunt is by working backward. First, hide the treasure.

2.  Next, write a clue to lead someone to the spot where the treasure is hidden. Then, hide this clue.

3.  Write a clue that leads someone to the spot where you hid the last clue. Continue hiding and writing clues until you feel you are finished. Hand the last clue you write to the person whom you are sending on the hunt.

 

Variations

For Scribblers:
Pre-writers can get into the treasure hunt spirit (and give their little fingers a workout) by helping to fold up the clues nice and small.

For Spellers:
Spellers can write simple, one-word clues, such as “couch,” “bed,” “bathtub,” or “closet.”

For Storytellers:
Storytellers can write more detailed clues, such as “Go to your bookshelf. Look inside your favorite book.”

For Scholars:
Scholars can write clues in the form of riddles: “Look behind something soft, fuzzy, and bear-shaped that lives on your bed.”

Connect

 

Quite possibly the coolest thing about writing is its ability to make meaningful connections among people. Think about it. Writing literally has the power to transcend time and space. You can write a letter or send a postcard to people on the other side of the world. You can tell them what you’re thinking, even if you can’t meet face to face. They can read your words, and then reread them a week from now, a month from now, or a year from now. A conversation is fleeting, but correspondence can be timeless.

Then again, writing is also a wonderful way to connect in the here and now. Slip people a note, and they can hold your thoughts right in the palm of their hands. Near or far, encourage your kids to use their writing skills to build relationships. Use the time-honored favorites in the next section as a guide, and take it from there.

 

43

Message in a Bottle

M
Y HUSBAND
and I once overheard a man telling some friends about a cruise he had just returned from, during which he visited an “uninhibited island.” A slip of the tongue, perhaps, but what a picture it brought to mind!

Writing is full of inhibitions, not the least of which is, “What will people think of what I wrote?” So before children can get comfortable expressing their innermost thoughts, dreams, and wishes to someone they know, sometimes it helps to write to a friend of the imaginary variety first.

Imagine how much easier it is to write down your true feelings when you picture yourself alone on an uninhibited island, writing to a perfect stranger. And although we won’t be throwing these bottles into the sea anytime soon (not exactly an environmentally sound choice, these days), you can certainly make a special spot in your children’s rooms, for their messages in a bottle. And who knows, maybe one day they’ll want to share the contents with you or someone else whom they trust. But until then, keep a lid on it, so to speak. (And maybe tuck some of your secret wishes into a bottle of your own.)

 

M
ATERIALS

 

∗
paper

∗
pen

∗
empty bottle

∗
bottle cap or cork

 

H
OW-TO

 

1.  Encourage your children to imagine that they are by themselves, on a secret island that no one knows about but them, writing a message to a perfect stranger. Tell them it can contain their innermost feelings, dreams, wishes . . . whatever special thought they might want to preserve for posterity.

2.  Show them how to roll up the finished message, and then tuck it into a bottle. Seal the bottle tightly. Ceremoniously place the bottle in a special spot, for their eyes only.

 

Variations

For Scribblers:
Pre-writers can get their feet wet with this activity by practicing at home. Give them scraps of paper and some plastic bottles to tuck their scribbles into.

For Spellers:
Spellers might simply want to tuck their name into a bottle, or they might include the names of everyone in the family.

For Storytellers:
Storytellers will find this one irresistible. Let their imaginations run wild as they tell their tales, document their dreams, and write their wishes.

For Scholars:
Scholars can approach this scientifically, as if the bottle were a time capsule. They might include the date, their geographic location, information about current events, and predictions for the future.

44

Letter Writing

A
S A CHILD
I felt compelled to write letters about almost anything. When my family was planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, I sent a note to the senator of Arizona telling him to expect my arrival. I wrote to the editor of
Time
magazine to object to the computer being named “Man of the Year.” And I will never forget my tear-stained letter to the president of the United States that asked, “Why do gerbils have to die?”

When kids have something to say, a letter’s a great way to say it. The beauty of a letter is that it allows them the time to compose their thoughts and get to the heart of the matter in a way that a conversation might not. It can also be saved and reread, which makes it even more special.

Letter writing is also a productive means of self-expression. It helps children channel their ideas and emotions in a positive way. Excitement, disagreement, even sadness can be processed on the page. And when kids receive a response to their letter-writing efforts, it makes it sincerely worthwhile.

 

M
ATERIALS

 

∗
paper, stationery, or letterhead (see the chapter on “
The Write Stuff
”)

∗
pencil

∗
envelope

∗
stamp

∗
blank labels

∗
Parts of a Letter sheet (see “
Parts of a Letter
” in the templates section)

 

H
OW-TO

 

1.  First show children letter-writing basics, such as starting letters to friends or family with Dear ____, and ending them with Love, ____. What’s the best way to teach this? Have them watch you write a letter—to them!

2.  When you finish writing your letter,
don’t
give it to them! Instead, keep going with the demo. Put the letter in an envelope and seal it, write their name and address on the envelope, add your name and return address, and put on a stamp.

3.  Then take a trip together to the mailbox and send the letter on its way.

4.  When they finally get their letter, a few days later, it’s quite likely they’ll be raring to write one of their own. Sit down and write one together!