Writing with PowerPoint

Compared to summer reading and math practice, summer writing seems to be the most neglected.  Are negative writing sessions plaguing you and your child?  Do you want to switch out those bad vibes for some good times?

It can be an all-out battle!

I get it, most kids do not like to write at home.  If they actually write something, resistance flairs up when it's time to make corrections.

Well, I have good news!

In this post, I want to help you see PowerPoint in a new light.  Rethinking the well-known app as a learning tool for your child might possibly be the missing link you've been looking for.  Writing practice may never be the same!

I want you to rethink the time spent by your child's side trying to make writing time 'work'.  Rather than focusing on the skill, change gears and focus on the tool. 

You are most likely familiar with PowerPoint to some degree.  It might even be a tool you use every day at work.  If that's the case, be sure to let your child know you want to show them an app you use at work.  She will think she has reached the big league! 

Avoid calling this, "writing time."  Instead, call it a "project".  Once you and your child determine what type of project it will be, call it that -a poster, newsletter, collage, or even a letter to send to a friend or family member.  Don't label it as "writing"!

Step 1: Reimagine Writing Time

To reimagine what this time looks like for you and your child, think of it as spending time doing her favorite activity rather than her most dreaded activity.  Picture in your mind the close proximity the two of you have when doing something you both enjoy. Imagine your facial expressions, the tone of your voice, and even the take-charge attitude your child has when it's her choice activity, not yours. 

Think of this as a time of trial and error for your child.  Time spent together, exploring, but a time when you give only enough guidance to allow your child to experiment and make decisions that make it HER end product.  Stay aware of the fun-factor.  By reading your child's facial expressions and comments you can monitor how well YOU are doing at making this task an enjoyable one.  Are you making it fun enough that your child is likely to request doing it again?  Make that your goal!

Remember, this time being spent exploring PowerPoint together is NOT about writing.  It's about spending time together that is energizing for your child, exploring the possibilities of a new activity, and ending up with a finished product she wants to use in some way.

Step 2: Setting up PowerPoint for the Project

Before we begin, I want to mention that different layouts exist for PowerPoint on laptops compared to a tablet.  Either is fine.  The confusion begins when you try to go back and forth.  Don't put your child through that type of aggravation.  Decide which device you and your child will use for PowerPoint projects and try to stick with it. 

Help your child begin her project by navigating to a single slide within a PowerPoint presentation.  

Resize the template to 8.5" x 11" so it can be printed on a single piece of paper.  You may want to do this ahead of time, depending on the age of your child.  Third Graders can certainly learn to do this independently, but it's not a necessary step that younger children need to stumble through. 

To resize, click on "Design" > "Slide Size" > "Custom Slide Size" and change the dimensions. 

Eventually your child can decide between portrait or landscape mode for the design of her poster, but for now it might be best to wait until another day to introduce this choice.  Too many options for a young child will complicate the process unnecessarily.  Keep it simple for starters and build on it, a little at a time.  Remember, your goal for this first project is to create excitement, enthusiasm…and a finished project within a short period of time. 

Show your child how to use the "Insert" tab.  It unlocks endless options of adding pictures, shapes, icons and even… yes, textboxes.  It will be so, SO fun to explore the possibilities!  Enjoy watching the project unfold from her imagination.  Allow her to be the visionary during this time.

Step 3: Create

It's as easy as 1-2-3:  For this initial project using PowerPoint, help your child accomplish these three steps in designing her poster.  Keep it simple and quick to finish for quick gratification.

• insert a recent picture of your child doing something she enjoyed
• Insert a text box to write a caption about her picture.  Limit this to one sentence, unless she asks to write more!  Don't get carried away with your expectations.  Wanting to write more will happen soon enough.  Eventually, you can establish the guideline that each picture should have a caption of at least one sentence.  Spelling, capitalization and punctuation do not need to be perfect to start with.  Your goal is to help your child experience the fun of designing projects that include writing.  Grandma will ADORE receiving a 'note' that illustrates your child's current writing stage.  It will be a keeper! 
• Insert three or four "shapes" or "icons" (for now stick with "stickers" inside the icons tab…kids can get carried away with the different icon options).

Realistically speaking, using PowerPoint may not be easy for a child to grasp.  This is not meant to be one-and-done demonstration before setting your child free for independent work.  Stick with it, keep the sessions short so you can consistently engage with your child in this type of task.  Resist the urge to get wrapped up in their excitement and prolong the session to satisfy them.  Your goal is to keep it short so they leave the session wanting more. 

Explain that there are many more tools in PowerPoint to add more fun to their posters.  Let your child see your excitement and wonderment of how many neat things they will be able to create for others and themselves.  Once this first poster is complete and your session is ending, tell you child you are already thinking of another PowerPoint design tool you want to show her next time.  Or, if you are not familiar with PowerPoint and you are learning it with your child, let her know you can't wait to find another design tool the next time you work together. 

Have the postage stamp and envelope ready!  Plan ahead how your child will 'send' her finished poster to the lucky recipient.  Will a printed copy be mailed?  Will you take a screen shot of the poster and send it in an email, text message or DM?  Will you post it on your social media?

Just a heads up, your child might hesitate to mail the printed copy because she will want to keep it.  Consider printing a second copy for your child to display somewhere in the house. 

To help build anticipation towards the next project session, ask your child what she wants to make next and who she wants to send it to.  Don't be shocked if your child asks to do the next project right away…little does she realize that writing practice is taking place!

Tips & Shortcuts:

• As you're working on the first project, stick with it until it is completed.  If your child comes up with other ideas, start a list for future reference.  Be sure to let your child know the possibilities for other posters and projects are endless and you are looking forward to future time together, creating projects in PowerPoint. 
• Here's an idea for simplifying the start of a new project.   Don't start over with a new template each time your child begins a new project.  Use the same PowerPoint presentation, each time add a new slide as the new project.  This eliminates having to resize a new template before starting the next poster.  In other words, Grandma's poster, cousin Sam's poster, and even the letter to BF Jessica can coexist in one PowerPoint presentation, each being a separate slide within the same presentation.  No need to make a different presentation for each. 
• After the first couple projects are complete and your child is using both portrait and landscape modes, then save two different PowerPoint projects for your child to work in, one positioned in portrait mode and the other in landscape. 
• Here's another short cut to eventually introduce to your child:  duplicate several blank copies of a slide.  It can be easier to duplicate a blank slide than insert a new one. 
• In case you aren't aware, the color of the black/white icons can be changed to any color!  Once the icon is inserted, select it > "Graphics Format" > "Graphics Fill" > select color.

Show your child learning can be full of positive interactions and fun!

Your response to your child's writing can have a huge impact on her attitude toward writing in the future.  Using PowerPoint as a project tool (rather than a writing tool) accompanied by a lite attitude of exploration, creativity and fun can impact your child's willingness to write at home.

Let's explore s'more teachable moments, together!

Ron