Here is a peek at something new we have created in our classroom this year to support writing.  In our on-going quest to engage students in writing activities we have created "Learning Boxes".  Research and experience tells us that students will be more interested and work with greater perseverance at tasks that are meaningful to them.  As students show interest in topics we gather writing materials, books, and together create vocabulary lists to support their writing on the topic.  So far we have used Learning Boxes to write about pets, penguins, Valentine cards, invitations for our February concert and we are currently working on boxes to write about spring and chicks.

Students are able to set up and tidy up the boxes by themselves, providing them with the opportunity to take initiative in their learning and be responsible for materials in the classroom.

We usually set the boxes up on the benches in our cubby area so that students are spread out throughout the classroom as they work and play.

Students often end up working together as they write.  A conversation overhead here was "how do you spell look?'  Another student replied "llll, oooo, kkkk."

This was the box we created for students to write notes for each other and their families for Valentine's Day.


Here is an example of some of the writing that comes from working with Learning Boxes.

"My fish just swims."

"Goldfish can swim."

"My pet dog loves me and I love him."

"My mom feeds the fish in my house."



We borrowed a large castle from another classroom for a few weeks.  New and popular materials in the classroom are a great way for students to develop their personal and social skills as this kind of play requires them to listen to the point of view of others, share materials and wait for their turn.  It was noisy and loud, but a lot of great experience came out of working with the castle.  We were also so excited when students created their own "Learning Box" to draw and write about the castles they were creating.