Writing

1. Write notes/letters to your child.

2. Encourage your child to write for a variety of purposes: listmaking, letter writing, directions, creative stories, poetry, plays.

3. Allow your child access to a computer or a typewriter, if available, for the purposes of writing.

4. Read your child's writing and listen to your child read his/her writing.

5. Help your child edit his/her writing for capitals, punctuation and correct grammar.

6. Provide a variety of materials for writing and bookmaking.

7. Assist your child in learning grade level spelling words.

8. Expect your child to copy the correct spelling of words when they are available.

9. Recognize the strengths in your child's writing: ideas/content, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency and conventions (Six Traits of Writing).

10. Praise your child for what he/she has done well and assist your child in the writing traits that need to be developed.

11. Help your child understand that writing is a process and an important tool for communication.