Category — Writing Activities

My 6th grade students had an assignment to write a poem about something they loved, so I decided to write one also.

Hugs and Kisses
by E. Naccarato
What a delight it is to see,
My darling grandchildren run to me.
Their arms around my neck so tight,
Hugging me with all their might.
Their kisses are sometimes sloppy and wet,
But I don’t care, I’m not going to fret!
I’ll take their hugs and kisses anyway,
And cherish their love each and every day.
I would love for you to share a poem about your children or grandchildren.

Let your grandchildren create a pet rock by decorating a rock using markers, yarn, sequins, felt, and anything else you think might be interesting. It can be spooky, silly, glamorous, or alien. They can also make a house for their pet rock using a shoe box. Print out the “All About My Pet Rock” booklet so they can fill in all the information about their pet rock. Have them read the booklet to you to practice their reading skills. This is a great way to let them use their imagination. Hint: When you print the “All About My Pet Rock” booklet, print one page then put it back into the printer the correct direction to print the second page on the back. Then it will be in booklet form.
DOWNLOAD BOOKLET

Materials: Sandwich bag, a piece of paper the size of the sandwich bag, a variety of items you might normally throw away or recycle (magazines, colored paper scraps, wrapping paper, ribbon, yarn, sequins, etc.).
Directions:
1. Create a picture with recyclable items and glue on one side of the paper.
2. Write a short story or poem on the opposite side of the picture. If your grandchild isn’t writing yet have them tell you what to write and they can sign their name.
3. Slide the paper in the sandwich bag. The items from the picture won’t get lost and your grandchild with have the picture and the story they created together.

Variation: You can use a photograph of a special event or a post card from a vacation and write about it. The sandwich bag will keep it protected.

Even if your grandchildren don’t live near you, they can still share their favorite books. If your family has a blog or a website have your grandchildren write a review of a book they read recently. It will help boost their reading comprehension and writing skills. It will also help you to know the kind of books they like to read which is great for gift ideas.

In acrostic poems, the first letters of each line are aligned vertically to form a word. The word often is the subject of the poem. Write your own Halloween acrostic poem. Here is an example:

Grayish white in color
Hiding, ready to scare
Often floating in air
Scaring is what they like to do
Terrifying

Write a note to your grandchild sharing with them something that you remember about being their age and beginning a new school year. Tell them how you felt. Maybe you were excited, scared or embarrassed. Also add a photograph of yourself when you were their age. This could become a special keepsake for your grandchild and would be a part of your personal history, so make a copy for yourself.

You’ve heard the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” well this apple can help to build self-esteem by recognizing each individual in the family and what they do well.

1. On a piece of paper draw and cut out an apple for each member of your family.
2. At dinner or another time when the family will be together plan to do the activity.
3. Each family member writes their name on their apple and passes it to the person on their right.
4. That person writes something positive about the person whose name is on the apple. It can be a talent they have, something they do well or something nice they’ve done.
5. Continue passing the apples until you have your own apple back. If you have a small group, pass the apples around again.
6. When you’re finished each person reads what is written on their apple.

My friend Carmen, from Albuquerque, New Mexico shared this great idea with me about how she creates special memories with her grandchildren. After they have done something together, she writes about it in her “Remember When” book. For example, if they went to the zoo she might write: Remember when we went to the zoo and the bear roared so loud that it scared Angie and she spilled her drink. She also includes photos. When her grandchildren come to visit they love to look through the book. It is now a tradition so the grandchildren will often ask her “Are you going to write that in the Remember When book?” As the grandchildren get older they can write in the “Remember When” book or even start their own.

Create a box full of fun things for your grandchildren to dress-up in when they come to visit. Fill it with old clothes, hats, shoes, and jewelry. I like to look for interesting things at thrift shops or yard sales. It’s easy to find some hilarious things that your grandchildren will love that are inexpensive. Children love to create funny outfits. Encourage your grandchildren to write a short play to act out or read a story and let them act it out. Be sure to take pictures to preserve the memories. I like to keep my dress-up items in a plastic box that I can slide under the couch, it’s easily accessible and also easy to put away.
Sagan didn’t need a dress-up box. He likes to dress himself in whatever he randomly pulls out of his drawer.

This is a simple activity you can do with your children (3-11 years) that will strengthen their reading and writing skills. Choose a short book to read. Whether you’re reading the book to your child or they are reading to you, be sure to stop periodically and ask questions about what has happened in the story and let them predict what they think will happen next. This is a great way to reinforce comprehension of the story. When you are finished reading, together discuss the sequence of events in the story and make a story wheel.

STEP 1 Trace 2 circles, that are the same size, on white paper. I used a plate.

STEP 2 Cut out the circles. Mark the center on one of the circles.

STEP 3 Cut out a triangular shape but don’t go right to the center marking. You will need a place to put your brad or paperclip.

STEP 4 It now looks like Pac Man. Put the two circles together and secure at the center point using a brad or paperclip.

STEP 5 On the whole circle have the child draw and color their favorite parts of the story following the sequence of the story. Each scene should fit into the cutout section. Retell the story by turning the top circle to show each drawing.