Dier Seta. . .

Little Zo Peep composed and wrote her own letter to Santa this week and I wanted to share it here. Of course she is writing everything phonetically, so I’ve included an English translation below her entry. Some of you may be thinking – a five year old writing her own letter to Santa? Let me explain.

As background, I continue to be amazed at the things that Little Zo Peep is learning in Kindergarten. When I was a kid, Kindergarten included naps and finger paints and learning to use the toilet.

Zo Peep studies natural science; learns “magic” vocabulary words each week (so far – commotion, dispense, weary, cooperate, peculiar, ferocious, and reluctant); makes graphs of weather patterns; has mastered basic addition and subtraction; learns new “sight” words every week in reading; studies phonics; and writes in a journal daily. (Here's a photo of Zo Peep with her Kindergarten class at their "sock hop." Zo Peep is the hammy one 3rd from front)

For her journal entries, Zo Peep composes a short entry on the subject of the day. She uses her knowledge of phonics to sound out the words she needs and writes them down. Her teacher goes back with each child, has them read back the story and then writes the actual English words below their entry inserting proper punctuation, capitalization and grammar.

I’m amazed watching Little Zo Peep starting to compose her own thoughts. She sounds out each word and then writes notes and stories on her own. She loves to sit at our desk, pencil in hand, writing her thoughts on paper. I love watching her. – My own little Jane Austen in the making.

Here is her letter to Santa. How much can you decipher without looking at the translation below: ***********************************

Dier Seta,
Pliz ken E ghv mie the plznts u wt fur Cris mis, Misdr Coz, U wt wun sntf pep un lecgtur – pek ur prpr and a mujisn hat and I wt a wogd and mek ivrthg blak.

Love,

Z****


TRANSLATION

Dear Santa,

Please can you give me the presents I want for Christmas, Mister Claus? I want one stuffed pup; an electric guitar – pink or purple; and a magician hat and I want a wand and make everything black.

Love,

Z****

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I adore watching my little one learn how to express herself through words. It’s like witnessing a little miracle every day.