Encouraging the Writer Within

My five-year-old LOVES to write stories. Always has! Even at a young age he would dictate his made-up tales. Once he hit Kindergarten he started to write for himself. His love of drawing has given him dreams of being a author and illustrator. In school he would write daily during Writer's Workshop, but I have pulled him out of school early due to the move. In the craziness, I have been slow to supplement his education at home-mainly because we don't have any of our belongings. Yesterday his Draw & Write Journal from Lakeshore Learning arrived (only $3.50) and he was so excited to get writing again. However, when he sat down to write he had writer's block-he had been out of practice. Here are some things I did to help encourage his writer within...


After "A" doodled in his books we talked about what stories may be needed to be told. Here are some of the pages:

Aren't these just begging to have stories written about them? I know I want to know more about the haunted mine and the incredible flying machine-don't you?

All writers should also create a heart map. "A" made on the backside of the title page right in his Draw & Write Journal. Some choose to section of the map into different coordinates and add color, but he didn't want that. Ideas to put in your heart map: people who you hold close in your heart, dreams & desires, special memories, secrets, passions you have, etc. Some of the things in his heart map include memories of going on a cruise and the state fair, his family, a cross of God, dreaming of becoming a scientist, an easel for art, things-that-go (a passion of his), and more. 

I also picked up a Spelling Reference Guide at his old school before we moved. His old school district used these for grades K-2nd. You could certainly make one of your own though. You put high frequency words in order like a dictionary. In the back they also have sections like Days of the Week, People, Places, Months, Colors, and Numbers. In each section there are lines for you to add words. For example, in the People section you would write the name of siblings and/or pets, in Places you would write your city and state or a favorite vacation spot, As you can see on the D page I added dinosaur for him. At this age I want to encourage him to phonetically sound out his words but also use a dictionary. It is about balance!

By the time we were done with the heart map he had ideas flying. He chose to write about a secret location he found with his dad at our new place (a secret on his heart map). He quietly wrote for about 30 mins about gold and treasure chests and more. This is probably the longest story he has written entirely himself (and that includes stories he has written in school). I am excited for some writing time set aside each day!

Moose Encounter

We have been noticing some lovely moose scat by our front door at our new home. It appears they have been chewing on the empty bushes by the front window. I do know they have been starving due to the record snow fall this year. I had commented how awesome it would be to see an actual moose in our front window and today we got the opportunity.

One large moose sauntered up and started trying to find food on your bushes. I ran and locked the dogs upstairs, pulled the blinds and plastered our faces up against the glass to watch. Even the baby was enthralled. As I watched him attempt to find food the humanitarian in me wanted to rustle up food, but I knew I couldn't. I just had to watch nature be as it should.

Then to our surprise we realized our friendly neighbor was a Momma. Up came her baby a few moments later. I was beyond elated! He was so cute. The baby got right up against the glass. I have never been so close to a wild animal before. Nothing but a few inches separating us! This is one of the reasons I wanted to move the boys up here...so they could have experiences just like this...

Two babies looking at each other

Almost the same size

And because we couldn't resist "A" kissed a moose's bum ;o)

We arrived in Anchorage

In the last two weeks I have graduated college with my B.A. in Elementary Education, packed up my entire house without the hubs help, and flew my two little ones and two dogs to Anchorage by myself. To say it has been a whirlwind would be an understatement. Thank you for still tuning in since I have had to neglect the blog world in the last couple of months. Simply survival mode!

I am so excited for our new adventure here in Anchorage, AK. I am even more excited to be reunited with my hubs (he came up Sept 1st for work). It has been a LONG time since we could be a family on a daily basis. I have tons of plans and ideas to do with the kiddos so tune in for TONS of post with craft/learning goodness! However, I first have to wait for all of our belongings to arrive. It is going to be a LONG two weeks.

Exploring the backyard

Sunk down deep

Snow cave caused by meltwater

Exploring our neighborhood

Home Sweet Home

Babies First Sensory Bin

This past summer I was busy making sensory bins for my five year old and sensory baskets for my baby. The baskets were designed towards larger items for safety sake. Some previous tot sensory baskets were: color theme, letter theme, shape theme, and nature theme. To see all the previous tot baskets click here. Sensory bins on the other hand were filled with more miniature items and fillers. Sensory bins for my oldest ranged from back to school, construction, beach, holidays, and more. You can see those here. I have gotten away from making them lately because I am in the midst of a huge move. I am eagerly anticipating making sensory bins and baskets later this Spring.

As I was busy making a craft with my 5 year old I realized I needed to keep my 15 month old occupied. He is too young for many craft supplies and I had no sensory baskets on hand. What I did have was beans, poms, two cups, heart containers from the Dollar Tree, a heart ice-cube tray, and a casserole dish to put everything in. Yes, it did end up with a Valentine's Day theme, but it was unintentional. Honestly, I was frantically throwing things in for him to stay quiet. It took me about three minutes to put it together. I was sweating bullets handing it to my little monster. He loves to shove everything in his mouth or throw items across the floor. Suprisingly, he used it just like a sensory bin is intended to be used. He got busy pouring and transporting, he even put beans in the containers to make shakers! I was blown away. Now about 8 minutes later it did end up on the floor, but I take my successes when I can get them.

Brother had to get in on the action and show him how it is done.

I am looking forward to trusting him with smaller items, but I think the majority of his sensory experiences will still be similar to baskets I have put together in the past. Look for more ideas of sensory play in the next few months.

Current Update

I am so ashamed that I have only written twice this month. It is really telling how often I have done supplementing at home with the boys-not much. In 5 weeks I will be boarding a plane to move to Anchorage. Before that time I need to back up the house, finish student teaching, finish my state/school final project, get the boys and dogs ready for the move, and make about a million calls and plans. Can you tell I am overwhelmed!

My hubs found our new home in Anchorage today. I am so excited! It is the biggest home I have ever had the privilege of living in. One of my wants is making a playroom. I am thinking about converting the formal living room into a playroom, since we don't need a living room & a family room. I am trying to figure out how to do this and yet not have the main living space not look cluttered and dirty. I am also trying to decide on layout and storage. I can't wait until we are unpacked and playing in our new home.

Thank you for being supportive and I promise the posts will return with a vengenous in April. Your patience has been astounding!

Rock Sale

 One of my five year-old's favorite "game" to play is what he calls Rock Sale. It is something he created almost two years ago. He gets out some of his favorite, polished rocks and puts them out in an organized way. Next he calls out "Rocks for sale! Who wants to buy some fancy and beautiful rocks."  I am then instructed to make an inquiry about his wares. He attaches a dollar amount to the rocks ($100 each and $1000 for the Pyrite-it is gold after all). Then I hand him play money and he gives me change. After this interaction he wants to switch roles. It is silly but he loves it. He asks to play this almost monthly. It is so fascinating the things kiddos come up with and enjoy!

Cookie Break

Sorry I haven't blogged much lately. I am at the crucial part of Student Teaching where I am teaching full days and trying to work on my exit project for graduation. All while I began packing for our big move to Alaska in 7 weeks. I have been neglecting my Mommy super powers and haven't done much supplementing at home. I have mustered enough energy to read with "A" most nights. I am so proud of him. He went into Kindergarten with no reading other than the word cat under his belt, and now he is reading level H books (end of 1st grade). I can't get him to pass his second grouping of sight words though.

As busy as I am some times it is fun just to take a time out. "A found a Valentine's Day Sugar Cookie Decorating Kit. The easiness appealed to me and it was a blast just to spend that quality time together, plus the cookies didn't taste bad either ;o)

I am looking forward to having more moments like this with the boys in late Spring in our new home. I am hoping we can get a playroom and that I can start Tot School. If you don't hear from me please know that once summer nears I will return to blogging with some ferocity.