Rose brought home her first piece of first grade writing today.
I have wondered about writing. I have asked questions and emailed about writing.
I feel like her school is in this weird limbo phase, dangling between the looming mandated reading programs that are coming and “before.”
I have not pressed.
But I have worried. I’ve worried about my own kids. I’ve worried about the other kids’ at their school and their teachers. I’ve worried about the state of schools in general.
Rose and I already read regularly most nights. I tuck in as much as I can. Thankfully, she’s a willing participant. But we haven’t tackled much writing. Things have been busy.
But tonight as she proudly presented her family book, a fill in the blank booklet of our families favorite foods and the language we speak, I began searching my phone for writing paper I could quickly print.
We rehearsed a story over dinner. Adi jumped in to remind Rose that if she was going to tell the story about the time they were swimming in the pool and we saw a skunk, she couldn’t also write about the time we saw a skunk when we were in the car. “You have to pick one moment,” she coached.
By the time Rose was done with her dinner, I had printed writing paper and she was all set to start sketching her plan. As I type this now, she’s writing her words. “Are there two Es in scream?” she asks.
This is the part I have control over. This is the part I know how to do…Growing writers.
Where There Is Joy 
That is the sweetest picture — the cover of a book for sure!! Yes, you sure do know how to grow a writer or two!!
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So sweet!
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Some of my favourite posts of yours are about your children learning to write. This one will be right up there. The picture alone would make it great, but I also appreciate the tension between your teacher hat & your mom hat, and the way the older girls help with the process. Oh that every child had this sort of support! Your girls are so very lucky to have you.
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I have a feeling your children will all be great when it comes to reading and writing. No worries there, but yes, to other people’s children. Love Adi’s coaching here. Ah, the internalization of a small moment!
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Cute! You made this slice so relatable when you shared your own thoughts and worries about the state of writing instruction, our teachers, our kids, our schools in general. You brought it back to the here and now so nicely with that photo and your ending.
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I’m so glad you shared this; I definitely loved the parenting moments, but what resonated with me most was this line: I feel like her school is in this weird limbo phase, dangling between the looming mandated reading programs that are coming and “before.”
I worry so much about the joy of leading reading & writing lives that is being lost in this limbo we’re navigating. Your kiddos are so lucky to have your TLC in ensuring the are writers, that their voices matter, that they have stories to tell!
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Truly exciting, growing writers! Congratulations.
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This post is a happy slice, a story of a daughter bringing home her first writing from 1st grade. However, I’m stuck on the fact that it is MARCH. Why now? Why not back in September??? This thought makes me sad….
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This is a good question and part of my greater wondering. This is why we’re going to be making more time for writing at home!
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I got a little emotional reading this! Sweet and also nostalgic moment.
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You sure do know how to grow writers and so does Adi. I told you she will be just like you! Great sister moment captured.
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I love this! So nice to hear about kids writing and not on iPads!!!
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