Ideas for Teaching and Documenting

Plan opportunities for children to write independently and in small groups.  Model writing for children through shared writing experiences such as writing a morning message, charting children’s responses, or writing a group fable after reading many fables.

Have an attendance sign in sheet every day. Do not try to “teach” children to write their name; just let them practice copying it every day. Note how their writing improves and move to writing from memory when they are copying completely and fairly accurately.

Provide materials throughout the classroom such as notebooks, sticky notes, a waiter’s pad, chalkboards and/or whiteboards encourage their use and keep track of the children’s writing.

Encourage writing by responding positively to all writing attempts and by asking children to read their writing to you. 

Take dictation for children and ask them to help you write some letters/words.  

This information is also available in the ELS Guide Book for future reference.