For the first half hour children sit at their desks and write in their journals. Writing is a progression, with children starting out dictating something to a teacher who writes, leaving space for the child to copy part or all of it. Later, as children become more confident with letter shapes and sounds, they may help the teacher spell words, or ask a teacher to spell directly to them, or begin to spell words for themselves. We encourage invented spellings, and do not correct beginning writers' spellings. Some children like to draw a picture first, and use that as a basis for their writing or dictation.
Older children write independently.
In order to individualize planning, we use what we call a contract system. Some of the older students have weekly contracts where they can choose what day they want to do certain individual tasks. During this time children can work independently, with a partner or be part of a small group lesson. Math, language arts games and art projects are always a part of Contract Time. Some days we meet as a full group and other days the children are split into two groups.