Let's Write | Molly Brave

Let’s Write

1. “POCKETS” Writing from Englewood Elementary 2nd grade

The following letters are from Englewood (Florida) Elementary School 2nd grade students, in response to the book Pockets.

Dear Abby, Jacie, Chloe, Kayla, Logan, Jordyn, Lillian, Hop, Kyle, and Mrs. LaBadie,

Thank you for writing! I love all of your letters, and I can read every one of them. Best wishes to you and keep on writing! Mary Alice Deveny

From Abby

I have four pockets! How about you? I put things in them, old or new. What do you have in your pockets? Do you have something new? Well, do you? Now I must go. Good-bye now.

From Jacie

I love pockets. I have two pockets. I put seeds in them. Then I take the seeds out and plant them. When I go to sleep I have 4 pockets. They say pray, dream, sleep, and trust. When I get up my pockets say morning. In the evening my pockets say play and fun. In closing, what will you do with your pockets?

From Chloe

I like pockets. Do you? I like to put candy in them. I have 2 pockets in my dress. I put hugs and kisses in them. For Valentine’s Day I filled them up with love and joy. The next morning I got dressed and I realized that I had 2 pockets and at school it was water day. So I put on my bathing suit and filled one pocket with my goggles and the other with fun times. Now you know I like pockets.

From Kayla

Pockets

I have four pockets. Sometimes in my pocket I have pennies and seeds. People all over the world have pockets. Adults and children have pockets. Many authors have made books of pockets. I love pockets. How many pockets do you have?

From Logan S.

Pockets are round or triangled. Mine are square. And pockets can hold small or big things. So it is like you can fit anything in your pockets. And also your hands can fit in there. But if you’re a baby you might have really small pockets. And did you know that pockets are on shirts, too? And some people did not know that. In my pockets I do not have anything but tomorrow there will be something in my pockets but I only have four pockets so I might not have a lot of things in my pockets. Pockets are so cool.

From Jordyn L.

I have four pockets in my jeans. They are fancy by my side. I put things in them all the time. They have three rings, some of my cat’s food she put in there, and my black hair-tie. Sometimes things fall out maybe because they have too much stuff. Can you help me by checking it out? Thank you! I hope I can get the cat food out because it is starting to smell.

Dear Jordyn L.,
I know what you mean about cats doing funny things. I have cats, too, and they are all different, just as people are all different. I wonder if your cat puts her food in your pockets because she misses you when you are away from her at school. I know you can get the smelly cat food out of your pocket and put it in the garbage can. Just use your hands, and then wash your hands after you throw away the old smelly cat food. Maybe you need a large pocket, like a back pack, so you can carry all your stuff and it won’t fall out. If you need help with cleaning your jeans pocket or getting a back pack, ask a parent or teacher to help you. You have done a good job of identifying 2 problems. Please let me know how you work things out. Best wishes, Mary Alice Deveny

From Lillian D.k

I have a pocket. It is right on my shirt. It is a very small pocket. I put really small stuff in my pocket like erasers and other small items. You can put lots of stuff in pockets. My pocket has a bow on it. I have pockets in my pants. They are big. They can hold big stuff, like pictures, toys and pencils and markers and jewelry too, and sometimes some flowers if you want to. You can put stuffed animals in it if it is big enough. Pockets are wonderful.

Pockets are wonderful because they can hold lots of stuff. Pockets can be big or small. They can hold big or small stuff. Pockets are wonderful. Do you have a pocket?

From Hop W.

Pockets are fun. You can put lots of things in them. Some can be red, blue, black, and orange. They come in lots of colors, pretty colors too. They come in lots of shapes. They can be square, hearts, circles, and ovals.

They come in lots of sizes like small or big lots. Pockets are fun to play with.

They can be on you, dolls and more. See, they are fun.

From Kyle

I love pockets. I have two pockets. I have Legos in one, the other has Lego people. My sister has Barbies in her pockets. My grandma takes us for a walk but we never forget to check our pockets. We have lots and lots of fun with pockets.

2. Finding Treasures Along Your Way: For Children Who Can Write

A wise man once said, “Life is a journey. . . . do not wait for great strength before setting out…. Do not wait to see very clearly before starting: one has to walk toward the light. Have you strength enough to take this first step? You will be astonished to feel that the effort accomplished, instead of having exhausted your strength, has doubled it – and that you already see more clearly what you have to do next.” Phillipe Vernier, French theologian

This is the same message the wizard Gandalf gives to Bilbo Baggins as he and his companions start out on their quest in the famous book, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again.

You are on a quest, a journey of discovery. We all are. Take notes along your way. Many great writers carry a small notebook in their pockets. Write down your thoughts and observations. There is no right or wrong way to do this. This is about you finding words to clearly describe important things you see and feel and think. Do this, and your notebook will become one of your best friends. It shares your journey with you, helps you remember where you have been, and is ready to go with you on the next steps of your journey.

3. Finding Treasures Along Your Way: For Children Who Cannot Yet Write

You can take a walk with your parent or teacher or grandparent, or older brother or sister. Be sure to take paper and a pencil with you. Look around as you are walking. Notice everything. Look up. Look down. Look left. Look right. What do you see? Do you see something that looks like a treasure? Can you draw a picture of it? Your adult can write down your words to go with your pictures, and read them back to you.

Activities