Ideas for writing for children

Kindness · #1 Jun 29, '12, 2:52 am

I have three children aged 11, 9 and 6. They are all in German schools but can read and write in English. I want to work with them this summer on some writing projects that would be interesting. I have plenty of resources for worksheets on spelling and grammar. What I want to focus on is having them all create substantial written pieces of work to help them practice at getting their ideas down on paper in a coherent and interesting way. I don't necessarily want a lot - we only have 6 weeks vacation and we are in Italy for the first two. so I think three pieces of solid written work over a month should be fine. I would like some ideas on subjects that all three would find inspiring - and make it easier for me so we can brainstorm "word walls" that they can all use in their writing for example.

Do you have an good ideas????

The first one I thought of was "My Best Friend" - which can be real or imaginary and can be about them or any character they would like to choose. They can also create illustrations if they want. We can also read stories about friends - real, imaginary, in history, animal friends etc.

Now I need two more

Allegra · #2 Jun 29, '12, 7:25 am

You can find a funny photograph on the internet and have them write a story about what happened.

Em_in_FL · #3 Jun 29, '12, 10:24 am

If you could have any "super power" in the world, what would it be and why?

Tell about your favorite vacation... either real or dream.

What's your favorite mode of transportation (train, bus, airplane, boat, rocket, hot air balloon, etc) and why?

Describe the perfect meal at your favorite restaurant.

akela135 · #4 Jun 29, '12, 11:51 am

When I was younger I used to write my parents persuasion essay/letters about why I should get certian privileges like staying up late on the weekends or getting a certain toy for my birthday.

I think you could do a simple thing like that, where they have to explain why they should get a certain "reward" could be fun (like a trip to the park for instance). It would give them a chance to not only express their ideas but help them learn to share them with others.

Allegra · #5 Jun 29, '12, 1:32 pm

There's always the tried and true idea of having a penpal.

Aggies08 · #6 Jun 29, '12, 1:56 pm

DO they like to read? They can write a short story about their favorite characters.

Mum5 · #7 Jun 29, '12, 1:59 pm

You have the perfect subject, you are on vacation! Get them each an exercise book to use as a journal and folder to keep bits in, postcards,brochures,tickets etc.We did this with our kids.. Every night they had to write something, as much or a little as they wanted, but something about what we had done that day, something about anything we had seen or learned, this is where the brochures came in handy. They could illustrate it if they wanted.It was really just a trip diary, and it's fun reading it later .