And while I LOVED reading his writing, learning about his week, and getting to know him as a writer, I have to admit that some weeks were easier for me to respond than others. Some Sunday nights I would be kicking myself for not sitting down to reply sooner, but I did eventually sit down and reply. I did it even though I was tired, had to wrack my brain for an idea, and desperately wanted to go to bed. I wrote my entry anyway, because I knew that my little boy would be opening that page up Monday morning excited to read my response. He loved hearing my stories about our weekend and hearing my excitement about his week of learning and efforts as a writer. He loved my letters and stories- he loved our conversation on paper...and I love the written memories and one-of-a kind illustrations of his entire kindergarten year--both in and out of school.
My son came home with a Family Journal three years ago. It started off with text he had copied (as well as his little kindergarten self could copy) from the class generated list. I saw his efforts to share a message with the best letter formation he could offer, some capital letters, and proper punctuation to end the sentence. I honestly had no idea how valuable that little notebook would be come to us-- it was a start toward something greater than I could have ever imagined. Throughout the year, I saw his schema grow, grow, grow and his writing transform. He engaged in a predictable pattern of reflecting on his learning and deepening understandings from that week at school, shared his thoughts (yes, his very own!) on paper using the written word, and asked me to respond.
And while I LOVED reading his writing, learning about his week, and getting to know him as a writer, I have to admit that some weeks were easier for me to respond than others. Some Sunday nights I would be kicking myself for not sitting down to reply sooner, but I did eventually sit down and reply. I did it even though I was tired, had to wrack my brain for an idea, and desperately wanted to go to bed. I wrote my entry anyway, because I knew that my little boy would be opening that page up Monday morning excited to read my response. He loved hearing my stories about our weekend and hearing my excitement about his week of learning and efforts as a writer. He loved my letters and stories- he loved our conversation on paper...and I love the written memories and one-of-a kind illustrations of his entire kindergarten year--both in and out of school. So, as this year begins and you are asked to read and respond to your child's Family Journal. Please do so with the understanding that you are recording memories, modeling a literate life, and honoring your child's learning,
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