Materials
- one spiral notebook for each child
What to do
1. Write each child's name on a spiral notebook. Show them the notebooks and explain that these are their own personal journals to write or draw in.
2. Explain how to start a journal and tell them that every time they write in it, they should use the next page.
3. Put the notebooks on a table when the children arrive in the morning and let them draw or write whatever they choose.
4. If desired, add the date and the children's own words about their picture to make it a special treasure.
5. Put out the journals periodically. Keep them all year and let the children take them home at the end of the year. They will be very excited to take their journals home after working on them all year, and it may encourage the wonderful habit of journaling.
6. You can use the journals at the end of the year for assessments to see the gradual improvement in writing and art skills.
7. Bring out the journals at other transition times, such as after lunchtime.
-Gail Morris, Kemah, TX
Instructions
1. When you have a few extra moments, read the following poem and have the
children do the actions in the poem.
Can You? by Barbara Saul
What can I do?
What can I do?
I can sing the alphabet song, can you?
What can I do?
What can I do?
I can name the colors, can you?
What can I do?
What can I do?
I can touch my toes, can you?
What can I do?
What can I do?
I can jump up high, can you?
What can I do?
What can I do?
I can comb my hair, can you?
What can I do?
What can I do?
I can brush my teeth, can you?
2. Let the children recite the poem with you and add new activities.
