Jayden writing using PODD and alternative pencil

This clip is of Jayden and mom spending some time doing our daily writing. This is long but I just couldn't cut it down for the sake of more views. I need to keep the entire process documented because this kid has come SO far.

Our writing program is this: they either pick a topic from a PODD like template with topics of interest or they are assigned a topic from our daily lessons. Today our topic was to choose of photo of yourself and write about it. He then uses his alternative pencil which is a page from his PODD to point to the letters he wants. When he is finished I try to make out words in his writing or "steal" letters to make words and maybe a sentence. We finish by celebrating what he has written and eventually we will show the other members of our family and they will celebrate too!

Jayden first wrote his name and then wrote a bit on the topic. If this is the first time you have seen this type of writing you may be confused why we are so happy to see random letters on a page?!

This is how it all starts.

Toddlers learn to scribble and explore their pencils. This is the stage we are at. Of course my kids are not toddlers in any way, but we are starting back to the basics and learning in our own unique way -- a way that allows them to actually access letters and writing not just be observers.

But there is way more to this video than Jayden writing. So much communication. He is fussy in the beginning and is able to use his PODD to tell me why. He recognizes that he made a mistake and tries to flip the book back to the beginning (this is new). He stayed focused on the task for the entire session (almost 9 mins). And so many more things I could pick out of the clip that are all so awesome!

Our writing process is messy. That's ok. I'm sure I could be doing certain things better, but just like learning to use the PODD these are new skills for us that we still simply need to practice to get better at!