Most of the themes for Poppins Book Nook I’m very excited about, but I have to admit that this month’s theme of transportation was not one of those themes. Instead my thoughts ran along these lines, “But my kids are no longer in pre-school, they know what kind of things we drive in……”
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Then I came up with a ridiculously complicated idea for creating a “transportation through the ages” unit…… Yeah, that didn’t happen because of lack of time, and besides I was sent the most adorable book to read and review, Truck Stop
. Who doesn’t love an Anne Rockwell book?
. Who doesn’t love an Anne Rockwell book?Truck Stop is the story of a young girl who lives and helps her family run a truck stop. Each morning they get the same people stopping there, and she revels in the sense of familiarity, and worries when one of the regulars doesn’t stop in. It’s a cute book, and how she helps her missing regular is a great story for kids.
In particular I loved the descriptions she used for the different characters. They weren’t just sixteen wheeler or delivery truck. No, it was the big silver tank. The words flowed as I read them to the kids.
But, it’s a pre-k book. Quite solidly for that crowd, and a good addition to any library. Here’s the thing, easier books to read can work quite nicely to teach skills. This time, description and brain storming.
So, we went through and wrote down the place, Truck Stop. Then we came up with all of the characters in the book. Slowly we found them all and wrote them in. Then we added in descriptions. Some were easy and predictable, 18 wheels for the 18-wheeler, but some were interesting, Green Gus rattles.
Teaching writing skills: prewriting
Then we talked about writing, and how a good author uses descriptions for their characters.
After our discussion I set the kids to brainstorming a place and 5 characters with a description. It helps sometimes to just do one step of a process, and focus solely on that step.
Batman came up with a tank, and several different soldiers who were on it and fighting. The Captain was training. The enemies were scared. It was a good chance for them to think about what is in a specific setting.
Next steps in teaching writing skills:
That really depends on what you want to do. I plan to have them draw a picture using their brainstorm. This keeps it low key and not scary for early reluctant writers.
Or, while teaching writing skills you could also teach about different writing styles. Have them write a short descriptive piece. Don’t just think of the short story, think of other writing styles you’ve read.
For us, after we’ve finished creating several different brainstorming sessions, we’re I’m going to move on to the next step in the writing process and teach a rough draft.
Do you have a transportation themed post? I’d love to see your take on transportation. I promise next month with Fairy Tales to have something a bit more what everyone’s expecting. Maybe. I’ve got grand plans again.
I’m joining with several other great bloggers to share our takes on a different theme each month, check out how the other bloggers approached this theme and then create your own version: Enchanted Homeschooling Mom – Royal Baloo – 3 Dinosaurs – Monsters Ed – Chestnut Grove Academy – Growing in God’s Grace – Royal Little Lambs – Life with Moore Babies – Teach Beside Me – The Usual Mayhem – Mum Central – Fantastic Fun and Learning – Kathys Cluttered Mind – Play Create Explore – Toddler Approved – Growing Book by Book – Adventures in Mommydom – B-Inspired Mama – The Fairy and The Frog – Edventures with Kids – Learning & Growing the Piwi way – A Gluten Free Journey – Rainy Day Mum – Mom to Crazy Monkeys
I love that you already have your kids completing writing steps like this. It will feel so intuitive to them when they are older!
That’s what I’m hoping for, we’ll see if it works.
I would have never thought about teaching littles how to brainstorm. I can see a lot of uses for this!
Nice work on brainstorming. Anna’s school taught it too in the end of the first grade with the beginnings of mind mapping. Truck Stop sounds like a great book!
It is, I was actually thinking of you when I wrote it because it’s Anne Rockwell.
Love your brainstorming ideas Ticia utilizing a storybook! You have shared so many useful ways to foster the writing steps with young children.
Thanks!