prompt boxes

Today I let the second graders use AlphaSmart computers to type expository or narrative papers.  We only do this about four times a year simply because the students will not be tested by keyboarding, but by pencil writing and it is almost spring break.

Do I let them write from boxes?  Or do I let them use AlphaSmart computers?  I was in a dilemma.  I finally thought:  Both.  After all, these little guys are almost third graders.

      

After Merry Jennifer and Sam married and moved to Miami I found all these cute little boxes with Dove candy in them.   "What do I do with these?"  I wondered.  By now the Dove candies were white with age so I called MJ in Miami.  "Do you want these boxes with Dove candy in them?"

"No, Mother.  Throw them out," she said. 

But if you know teachers, we throw NOTHING out.  So I ate ALL the White candy and save the boxes.

Then I remembered all the miniature collections I had.  So I figured,  "I'll put these little miniatures in these cute little boxes and let the children write about them."

      

 Boy, were they a hit!  The kids went nuts about the boxes.  They couldn't figure out which box to write about first.  In the meantime I bought other miniatures.

      

I bought animals, action figures and even a tiny Bible at Michaels.  Some of these little toys cost me $5.00-$6.00 a piece.  I kept them in a double layered tackle box and fishing boxes.

Anyway, for years the first and second graders have had the priviledge of writing from the boxes.

      

But today the children were allowed to write from the boxes AND on the AlphaSmarts.

      

They absolutely loved it. 

      

They did not play with the toys and what I learned was that children who have poor handwriting skills typed a better story on the AlphaSmarts.

      

So all in all, it was a wonderful day in my writing classes for second graders!

Comments

[merryjennifer]

First, your prompt boxes are an amazing idea for teaching. So incredibly creative. Second, those computers are...wow! Such a gigantic leap ahead from the TRS80's I got to play on in the eighth grade! I'm constantly amazed at the computer skills (typing skills!) that are being taught (and soaked up like a sponge) by such young kids. Madeline might be writing for my blog before I know it!

[Sherry]

I always loved the little boxes and toys inside. Thought you were on spring break.