Writing begins with meaning. As a parent and a coach at our school, I see writing in the earliest acts of communication. In gestures, in marks, in the stories children tell about their drawings. In this post, I share how we support that work with infants and toddlers and what it asks of us as adults. You’ll also find a few simple ways to carry this thinking into your classroom or home. -Ana Patton
Category: early childhood
Self-Portraits in the Early Childhood Classroom: Reflective Practice
Self-portrait drawing is a meaningful pre-writing activity that children can do multiple times throughout the year in the early childhood classroom.
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Scrap Paper and Loose Parts: Developing Characters in the Pre-K Classroom
What can you make with a few pieces of scrap paper, a handful of pebbles, and some silver bottle caps? Read to found out!
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“There was a long tree…” Observational Drawing and Talking in the Pre-K Classroom
Observational drawing provides many wonderful opportunities for young children to connect to the creative process that will eventually lead to writing.
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“Mat Man”: Reflective Practice
What is the value in "teaching" children how to draw a person, even before they may start to draw figures on their own?
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Wally’s Words of Wisdom: Reflective Practice
The beginning of a new school year is a great time to reflect on Vivian Gussin Paley's "Wally's Stories."
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Strategic Vocabulary Connections: Straight from the Classroom
Here are three strategies for integrating intentional vocabulary connections into your reading and writing instruction. While these examples come from a seventh-grade classroom, they can be effortlessly adapted for K-12 learning environments.
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An Invitation to Write: Reflective Practice
When children are invited to write and draw freely, it gives us a window into their inner selves. I like to use journals during quiet time to strengthen and deepen my students' relationships to writing outside of writing workshop.
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Setting the Tone for Kindergarten Writers at the Beginning of the School Year: Reflective Practice
How will you set a positive and inclusive tone for writing in the first few weeks of school?
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Supporting the Home / School Connection: Straight From the Classroom
Parents want to support their children with writing at home, but often do not know where to begin. This post provides some simple ideas you can share with them.
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Scribbling is Not Scribble Scrabble: Reflective Practice
Scribbling is one of the earliest forms of written communication. In the early childhood classroom, it is important to affirm this work rather than downplay it.
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Transcribing Their Words: Reflective Practice
Transcribing the spoken words of my young writers is a special opportunity to listen, appreciate, and reflect.
