write simple sentences  

Paper / pencil or pen (and grip if needed)

Scissors

Story book or picture (optional)

(Optional, if available: Clicker grid with the words from the child's sentence in random order. The programme Clicker is available from: www.cricksoft.com.)

1. Child / adult generate a meaningful sentence orally that is made up of words which are easy to sound out or are high frequency.

This could be just 3-4 words to begin with.

This could be based on the child's 'news' or a sentence from a book or a sentence based on a picture.

2. Child / adult rehearse the sentence together orally - especially checking that it makes sense.

3. Adult scribes - and writes the words as the child repeats each word slowly. Child watches the adult writing (adult adds capital letter / full stop).

4. Child reads the sentence. Adult ensures child can read all the words.

5. Child writes the sentence without looking at the adult's version. (Adult helps with spellings as appropriate and gives prompts if a word is missing - depending on the needs of the child.)

6. Adult cuts up their (adult's) copy of the sentence into separate words and mixes the words up.

7. Child attempts to re-assemble the sentence.

8. Child reads the re-assembled sentence and checks it makes sense and compares it to the sentence they wrote before. Child makes corrections if any are needed.

9. Child writes a final 'best' copy in a book.