Writing With Kids

Years ago I heard Jim Trelease say “Reading is input, writing is output.” As one of those teachers who integrated writing into everything (even math exit slips before recess), I was resisting. That year my friend Lynn decided to do her own experiment. Known for having successful first grade writers, she went the reading-first route. They spent most of the year focusing on reading. They read everything they encountered, no matter what subject or activity they were doing. Then, with about a couple months of the school year left, she switched back to her usual writing-focused teaching. The results? The rate of writing improvement was as strong (and stronger) as in past years.

Read, read, read…

Did you know that the most efficient way to improve writing, spelling, grammar, and vocabulary is to read?

Did you just say “Duh?”

Encourage your schools (and families) to find special reading times. Whether it’s a school-wide SSR (sustained silent reading), DEAR (Drop Everything and Read), or whatever else you call it, it’s a break that helps bring back a love of reading — a time when we’re not analyzing the process of reading or picking it apart. The year my son had to circle suffixes, locate and write down all the verbs/nouns/you name it, he stopped reading for fun. The next year, with a novel (yes, it was intentional) approach to reading (Read! — isn’t that novel?), he picked up reading again. Now we wish he’d put the books down long enough to get his other work done.

We have “Book Parties” at our house. We grab piles of books, and climb on our king-size bed with them. Sometimes we read silently, sometimes someone reads aloud, but usually it’s a combination. Anything goes, as long as we’re reading!

Maybe your readers would be more motivated if they knew about the author. Search online for information, and check out booktour.com. They’ll let you know which authors will be in your area. How cool is that?

You’re busy folks. My goal is to keep these short, but this is a topic I could stay on until next week! Please comment with your favorite reading activities (or any other related thought)!