Helpful Hints
- Set up the room with books, placed face out, on the related topic.
- Model the writing activity and verbalize why you are doing it: “I am drawing a map. Here is my house. I am writing ‘my house.’ I am listing who lives in the house. What is across the street? The firehouse is across the street. I am writing ‘Firehouse.’”
- Encourage adults to join in—not to observe, but to participate. You might say, “Mrs. Fox, is there anyone that you would like to send a letter to?”
- Encourage older children to help the younger ones at their table, but keep in mind that they should also have their own writing experience.
- Have a dictionary or online spelling resource available, but encourage the children not to worry about spelling and don’t let them get bogged down by it. Remind them that we are writing, not editing.
- In the Writing Box program, there is no place for awards, ribbons, or prizes. The process IS the product.
