We did it! You did it! Our first Adult Training Program class was a huge success. We ALL learned so much, and we are excited for “next steps”. We’ll be offering some ongoing training modules for the adults who completed the Foundations class this semester, and we’ll be offering the Foundations class to a whole new group of adults. We hope you’ll join us. Contact our home office (916-696-1759) for more information about this opportunity.
For those who understand the writing methods that we teach, we have some suggestions as to how you might work with your students to practice these writing steps and strategies in creative ways during the holiday season:
Brainstorm creative topics:
What should we bake today?
What fun holiday movie should we watch tonight?
Who do you want to take a plate of goodies to?
Where might we take our family holiday picture this year?
What gift would you like to get for your dad, mom, sister, etc?
Remember brainstorming requires a thorough exploration of all possible ideas, so don’t let your children off the hook with only their first ideas.
Outlining is all about organization, so try some fun organizing opportunities:
Craft containers, drawers: pencils, crayons, paper, glue sticks, etc.
Baking ingredients: dry, wet, utensils and pans
Mail: holiday cards, junk mail, important mail
Games or game closet
Closets and clothes drawers, pulling out those items that can be given
away to organizations who assist needy families
Journal:
Some of your favorite holiday experiences, sights, sounds, smells
Write stories:
Include holiday themes of giving, winter, family time together
Write poetry:
Short writing with rhythm and rhyme
Send a letter to a relative or special friend
Make sure your children use their best penmanship
Rewrite:
You get to decide how much assessing, correcting, and rewriting are beneficial during this season. You may decide that rewriting is only necessary for special projects that will be shared with others. Encourage writing and feel free to omit the work of rewriting for a short season.
I bet you can’t wait to have fun helping your children practice our writing steps and strategies in creative ways this holiday season . . . even I’m excited for you and your children. Let the fun begin.
Written by: Kris Cordell