Inspired by the book It Starts with an A, this lesson invites young children to combine their experiences with familiar objects and descriptive writing. The experience could be useful for children preparing for kindergarten who are emerging readers/writers even though the Read, Write, Think lesson developers have listed the appropriate grades as K-2.
After working as a group for quite some time to understand the idea of writing descriptions, each child chooses an object and hopefully takes the time to handle it for a bit before going further in the experience. Then the child draws it on the back of a sheet of paper.
On the front of the paper, he or she writes three clues that describe the object. Most likely, young children will need with help from a teacher or volunteer to do this. The clues are discussed and revised with the help of others. Then the sheets of all the children are compiled to make a class book which is sent home with each child on a rotational basis for each family to read together. (author: nmb)
Writing Processes for Early Childhood
Drafing, Revising and Editing
4.
Generate related ideas with assistance.
5.
Dictate or produce "writing" to express thoughts.
6.
Repeat message conveyed through dictation or "writing" (e.g., retell what was written).
Publishing
8.
Display or share writing samples, illustrations and dictated stories with others.
Writing Applications for Early Childhood
Writing Applications
2.
Name objects and label with assistance from adult cues (e.g., table, door).
Communication: Oral and Visual Early Childhood
Listening and Viewing
1.
Attend to speakers, stories, poems and songs.
Speaking Skills and Strategies
4.
Speak clearly and understandably to express ideas, feelings and needs.