The Important Garden Book

Just a reminder! I'd love for you to participate:)

I don't know if you've read The Important Book by Maragaret Wise Brown, but it's an excellent book to help your child develop confidence in their writing abilities (or for the younger ones while they dictate to you, which is the beginning of helping them develop writing skills).  The Important Book provides a very specific writing pattern for your child to follow. This can help your child become more comfortable expressing his written ideas because it is formated in a predictable environment.

When I was a teacher it was fun for me to give a writing assignment like this and read what all the children wrote. As we've been working on our garden unit I was thinking it'd be fun to do something like this with my own kids. BUT, I only have two that could even participate so I thought, "Wouldn't it be fun to open this up to any of my readers or other bloggers and I could then compile a book from all of our contributions?"

After I receive everyone's contribution I will type them up with a picture included and compile it in a Word document so everyone can read our book. Does that sound fun? I think so! If you want to participate, you might want to pick up The Important Book from your local library to familiarize your child with this style of writing. Or you can order a copy from Amazon here. (Thank you if you do. It helps support our family!) Then, either have your child write or dictate to you about something that is important for a garden. For example, if my child chose "Rain" they might write something like this: 

"The important thing about rain is that it helps plants grow. It helps the roots give the plants water so they can grow. It is a natural resource. It is wet. But the important thing about rain is that it helps plants grow." (written by a former student)

Basically you want your child to state the most important thing about that topic, then write 3 more important things about that topic and then reitterate the most important thing again. Click here for a printable format for you to use.

Sound fun? If so, here are a few guidelines:

1. please make sure your topic is relevant to a garden (examples: rain, bees, insects, flowers, roots, soil, stems, etc.).
2. please make sure all content is family friendly or it will not be included.
3. please submit your Important Garden contribution by Friday, May 13.
4. please e-mail your submission to me at becky(at)purposefulhomemaking(dot)com and please include your child's first name, age and what state or country your child is from.

Once I have the book compiled I will upload it and you will be able to access it from my blog. Be sure to share this with other bloggers.  I would love for them to participate!There really isn't a limit to the number of pages we can have in our Important Garden Book. Have fun!!