Writing Together: Family Writing Projects

I recently came across some great ideas for family writing projects.  These projects have multiple purposes.  By engaging in the writing process together with your child, you encourage and motivate your child to be a writer, you model the way writers think, you get your child thinking and talking about writing, and the list goes on and on!  Here are a few activities you might try this summer:

The Artifact Activity

1.  Each family member chooses a significant artifact.  This artifact may reveal something about the person's personality or identity.

2.  Have a sharing circle where each member explains the artifact and it's significance.  You may find that there is a particular story attached to the artifact.

3.  After sharing, write side-by-side with your child in journals for 5 minutes.  You might write down some words, ideas, or feelings that come to mind about the items or people who shared.  There is no structure or limitations!

4.  Take turns reading the writing aloud.

The Mapping Activity

1.  Children draw a map of their neighborhood, noting the places they find important: main streets, local stores, schools, playgrounds, a friend's house, etc.  Adults can draw a map showing where they lived when they were their children's age.

2.  Share and talk about the maps together.

3.  Write side-by-side with your child in journals for 5-10 minutes.

4.  Take turns reading the writing aloud.

The Photographic Activity

1.  Take pictures with your child around the town, neighborhood, or other significant places.  Capture scenes that are important or engaging.

2.  Share and talk about the photos.

3.  You  may write in journals about the photographs, write captions, and find things that the pictures have in common.

* Great idea for a summer vacation too!

The Letter-Writing Activity

1.  Parents write letters to their child/children as though the children will be receiving them 10 years from now.  Children write letters to themselves, also ten years in the future.

2.  Sharing the letters will highlight the thoughts, dreams, and wishes of both the parents and child.

3.  Put the letters in an envelope, addressed to your child.  Save the letters and give to your child 10 or more years from now.  High school graduation might be a great time to dig these letters out! :)

Let me know how it goes!