We visited “Santa” a couple of weeks ago and since my kids have been making their wishlists. It’s been fun to find little messages to Santa hiding in their rooms. And I overheard Ryan telling someone, “I’m not going to tell what I want for Christmas, I’m just going to *hope* Santa brings it to me.” Testing the theory, perhaps? I have a feeling Jared and I will have a little elf helping us next Christmas Eve.
{This one’s still a big-time believer though.}
Since they’re already in the Christmas mood, I’ve been trying to adapt some of our school work to fit the theme, making it seem a bit more fun than work. (But it’s definitely work on my end!)
“Dear Santa” is a {free} creative writing activity to enforce the writing process as well as to review letter writing.
If you’re not a homeschooler, this is probably overkill for a holiday activity so feel free to skip right to the final draft, but here’s how I walked my littles through this writing process of writing to Santa.
1. Brainstorm
First, we brainstormed–one of the funnest parts! We say, just let your brain throw up on the paper (seven-year-old boys think this is cool) and during the brainstorm process any idea is a good one, and “you never say no.” (Which they are all about because they’re at this stage where they think it would be awesome to be a grownup so you can “do anything you want.” Riiiight.)
Although all ideas are accepted, I tried to direct a bit by encouraging them to include things they needed, and not just wanted. Though I don’t think this really came across on their brainstorm lists. Maybe time for a lesson on needs vs. wants?
2. Organize
Next I had them take their brainstorm webs and organize the ideas into a four-box graphic organizer–guiding them to write something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. (There’s also a blank 4-box in the “Dear Santa” packet if you don’t want to guide the writing into these specific categories.)
We also talked about greetings and closings during this step of the writing process.
My favorite part of this step were the reveals that Ryan wants an iPhone (and he means it!), and Emmy thinks a Pony Princess Wedding Castle is a need. And I don’t really doubt her thought process at this point, because for the past couple of months she’s been doing every extra chore I offer to earn quarters toward her purchase of the castle. Such determination, this five-year-old of mine.
3. Rough Draft
Third, we used the 4-box organizers to write sentences. Little hands were getting tired so I helped translate this step according to their narration. (But if I were in a traditional classroom I would have broken down this writing project into a few different days and had the kids handwrite or type their own rough drafts.)
Remember, rough drafts can be rough, so we don’t stress about perfect sentences, spelling, punctuation, etc.
I obviously adapted this step according to ability–expecting a lot more writing and complexity from my 2nd grader than my kinder.
4. Conference and Edit
After a good long recess and snack we came back to our writing project to review the rough drafts. We took note of capital letters and punctuation. We discussed audience, and I conferenced with Ryan on whether his words were appropriate (do you think Santa would like to be told “I mean it”).
Rough drafts are meant to be marked up, and editing is an important step to emphasize in the writing process so I like to teach it while they’re young and not yet defensive about “messing up.” I use a happy colored marker (but not red) and remind them that ALL good writers have to edit. I feel like there should never be any shame in editing. We all make mistakes, right?
5. Publish
After our edits I set them to work with a sharp pencil and a fresh sheet of paper to publish their final letters to Santa.
6. Address the Envelope
And last, we addressed the envelopes to “mail” our letters!
And now, how am I going to break it to my seven-year-old that he’s NOT getting an iPhone?
Don’t forget to grab your FREE letter to Santa printables!
lalalalalalalala
I LOVE breaking down the process of writing Santa. This is really a great idea!
Cute! I love the need/want thing. We’ve had to talk about that in our house this year. We had to write Santa letters the week before last. My 5 year old made me look up Santa’s address on the computer and put a real stamp on and everything because she’s not so sure about the Santa thing 🙂
@Rebecca @ Raventhreads, Oh, that’s funny. I made the address up on the spot. But, they believed me, so it was good. lol
So cute!!!
The picture at the top with your little girl on Santa’s lap should be on a Christmas card! So cute!
“Throwing up on paper” – Love it! yes! Even my 11yo boy would “get” that and love it!
You are doing such a good job teaching your children to write. You are truly taking them by the hand and teaching them. Great job, Momma!
I found a link to your blog over at Collage Friday. I had fun looking around. Merry Christmas to you and your family! Blessings!
Oh I love this! I also have some big gifts to figure out this year, and my boys are both on the edge of not believing anymore…Each of them asked for very expensive Ninjago sets.
Did you make these printables? So cute and fun 🙂
The picture of your daughter with Santa is adorable!
Awww, thanks. I thought it was cute too :).
And I did make the printables!
Good luck on figuring out your “big” gift dilemma. It’s only going to get more expensive as they get older, isn’t it? (And thankfully my son also has Legos on his list, and that’s what he’s getting!)
Ok Pam — this is seriously CUTE> I am going to do this with my son (the only believer left in our house!) next week. I like how you refer to “letting your brain throw up on the paper” – he would love that.
Thanks for linking with Collage Friday!
Yay!! I hope he loves it :).
So cute! We called rough drafts “sloppy copies”. LOL
LOVE that. Stealing your idea for our next writing project!
I bet those are the most well-crafted letters Santa has ever gotten. 🙂
lol too cute! well as u know we don’t do the whole santa thing in this house. BUT they still get to “sugest” things they would like for Christmas. Megan was hinting the fact that she would like an ipad. is she gonna get one? no. and i’ve told her that. she has my old cellphone and just because the game she wants to play can’t be downloaded onto it doesn’t mean she’s getting an ipad…. just for that game. maybe sugest to Ryan that an iPhone comes with responsibilities. u have to be able to afford the bill for it because it does cost money each month to own one and that Santa knows that he’s not old enough to be able to cover the cost of that bill so he PROBABLY won’t be getting an iPhone until he can pay the bill for it or help pay the cellphone bill. good luck! all through out nursery Serity kept telling me she wanted “pinky pie” stuff…. don’t know if she’s hinting that at home or if that was just a one day thing but it was cute.
Those are good suggestions. He knows he doesn’t necessarily get everything on his list, but after all the effort he put into his letter, I know he’ll be heartbroken.
Seri’s been talking about My Little Pony for a while (she and Emmy LOVE them), so I’m not surprised she was talking about Pinkie Pie. lol
@pameladonnis, it’s hard when kids don’t understand that there’s more to getting a phone then just getting one. lol megan and mercedes only got theirs cause kalani and i wanted to get new phones for ourselves and we couldn’t upgrade our phones until next yr so we decided to just add 2 more phones to our plan (cause we can have up to 5 phones) and then let the girls have our old phones otherwise they wouldn’t have phones. they deffantly have to earn them though. they r not free for alls and have gotten them taken away a number of times but when they do have them they have fun texting eachother and texting me and also calling eachother and playing games. (and i realized i spelt “suggest” wrong after i clicked reply and it has bugged me ever since. lol) but letting him know NOW that it’s not gonna happen will probably be easier on him then finding out on Christmas day so he can enjoy the things he does get which i’m sure he’ll be just as happy with! again… good luck! lol