DID YOU KNOW?

Carnation Elementary 4th graders have improved on the Writing WASL by 20 pts. over the past 2 years. Teachers have worked hard to improve instruction and increase opportunties for writing with students.

This year our staff has adopted a Writers Notebook Program and all students and staff write frequently in their notebook or journal. Teachers even use their notebooks at staff meetings and do reflective and dialogue writings together with Mr. Poage.

Our goal is to increase our writing scores even more this year. Please help your child develop their skills in writing by doing one of the following activities this week:

1. Write a family story after dinner. One person starts the story and writes what happens first. Then the next person takes over the writing and tells the next part of the story. This continues until everyone has had a chance and the final person has to write a conclusion to the story.

2. Write a note to your child and put it in their backpack or lunch box. Ask them to write you back.

3. Write a letter to a relative or family member.

4. Have your child explain how to do something using only writing and pictures. For example, How to make a PB&J sandwich. Then follow the directions exactly how they wrote it and see if it works? Have them make modifications to their writing if needed.

5. Visit these websites to learn more about writing:

http://www.creativewriting4kids.com/
http://www.kidsonthenet.com/create/index.cfm
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/english/creative.htm

Happy writing!
Mr. Poage