Strategy 6: Teach children to communicate their thoughts and feelings through writing

Provide daily opportunities for journaling
Encourage the child to write to others (letters, cards, invitations, emails, texts, etc.)
Have the child write responses to or reviews of stories, books, movies, and personal experiences
Engage the child in writing poetry
Read poetry together to hear the melody and style (e.g.: free verse, haiku, limerick, sonnets ,etc)
Use shared writing strategies such as Predictable Chart Writing (Module 7).

How will the child write?
- Provide opportunities for the child to write or create text with letters and symbols or words. Pair symbols with print or Braille depending on the child's vision needs. Use Alternative Pencils for students who cannot hold a regular pencil.
Do the activity and the supports you are using allow the child to generate authentic writing?
- Supports such as writing prompts, sentence starters, writing frames, and shared writing can help the beginning writer actively engage in the writing process. However, because the focus is on allowing the child to express, it is essential that the child is allowed to generate authentic text. The child will need access to as much vocabulary as possible and to the full alphabet using Alternative Pencils if needed.