Writer's Workshop: Beyond the Pencil

Funded Mar 8, 2016

Dear Donors,

First of all I want to thank each and every one of you so much because without your help this would not have happened for my students. I told my students about our project on Donors Choose and they were so excited especially since we met our goal in less than 24 hours! In a few days our pens arrived and we opened the box together. My kids were very excited and they were clapping because they got to use "grown up pens" as they call them.

My students are using their new pens for writing during our Writer's Workshop time. They were so used to using pencils so this was a big change that they loved! I had been modeling writing strategies such as how to cross out spelling errors, punctuation errors, etc. and write the correction above or below. This was a very difficult task for 5 year olds to do since most of them like their mistakes to be completely erased! With our new pens this process was so much easier for them to do. I saw immediate improvements in their writing and our writing conferences were much more productive. I was able to see their thinking and I could tell what they were struggling with.

We are continuing to use our pens daily and now that my kids have gotten the hang of how this all works we are focusing on our handwriting and letter formation. It is so much easier for them to make their letters and their handwriting has already improved! The fluidity of the pens has helped them so much and I know they will be more than ready for first grade writing! Thank you all so much again from the bottom of my heart! My kids and I would never have had this opportunity if it wasn't for all of you. We love Donors Choose!!! :)”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Morris