Materials Needed For Introduction to Key Words

You and the children need the following materials for Key Words. It also includes some decisions you need to make to organize and manage the writing work period:

For the Teacher​

1. Word Cards.  At school, cut a large piece of heavy tag, chart paper in half lengthwise and then cut 3-inch “word cards.”  Approximately 11” x 3.”  At home, recipe cards will do.
2. Blank Duplicates.  Newsprint approximately 7” x 3” for young children — or 8.5 x 11, for older.
3. One large black marking pen for writing Key Words. Always use the same color, so the child doesn’t use color to recognize their Key Words. Plus one small felt-tip pen (any color) for writing sentences, beginning at Step 2.
4. Metal Key Word Rings. Each child will need a one-and-a-half or two-inch metal Word Ring for holding the Key Words.  Test the quality of the rings you select to see how easy they are to open and close.  The children must be able to handle them easily.
5. The Visual Signal for Completion of Work. Prepare the visual you decide to use, indicating a child’s work has been checked. I filled my half apron full of plain wooden clothespins and pinned one on each child’s shirt/blouse to signal I had seen their work.  I prefer the pin, as it’s completely neutral (not a prize) and easy to use.  Some teachers place a Must Do Chart on  the wall. There, the where children sign-off as “finished and checked.” This is after the teacher has written the date and a smiley face on their finished work, to signify it was checked.  Where I’ve seen that chart used, children seemed to get a sense of accomplishment using it, and they did sign off only after they had been checked.
6. Decide how to keep your clothespins and pens handy. For instance, I used a very simple half-apron, with large pockets for clothespins, pencils, etc.​. So, they were always with me.

For the Children​

1. Writing Books.  For young children, make books with 5 blank pages of oversize newsprint (18″x 24″)— with colored construction-paper covers. For ease in drawing, staple the upper left-hand corner only. Older children like letter-sized “grown-up looking” paper better. Use lined or unlined.
2. Hole Punch Station.  Secure with yarn a hand-held hole-punch. Place it somewhere near the gluing station.(Check it to see the punch works easily enough for the children to use — as some don’t.)
3. Set up a Gluing Station. First, cover a table with newsprint, for protection. After that, try out various steps in the process you want them to use. The children will bring their work here — all you need to add is child-safe glue or paste.
4. Colored Pens/Pencil Station. You already showed the children where to store the cups of drawing pens or pencils. (See Demonstrating Use of Pens On the 1st Day of School, in Getting Started. Recall that each cup contains one set, and the children are to share them.
5. Decide on Seating: I do NOT recommend assigned seating. You can always require certain children not to sit together if there’s a problem. Otherwise, it’s best to let them choose where they want to work. And I found most children frequently changed where they would sit to do their work.

Again — for how to begin establishing  general routines from the first day of school, see Getting Started….