Teacher Mama: Spaceman (for Writing)

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Using the "spaceman" helps my son put spaces between his words when he writes.

When my son writes, he writes! He writes everything in one long word. You can still read it and tell there are a few different words in there, but they are all connected. I decided that tonight was the night to take out the “spaceman.” The “spaceman” is a tool I used when teaching first grade to help children learn to put spaces between their words.  You can actually buy pre-made spacemen. They are not too expensive- about $11 for 30 or so, but when I was teaching I found it to be more rewarding and meaningful for my students if they made their own and all we really needed was a popsicle stick, glue, scissors, markers and some paper. So today while my son was at school, I took out my art supplies and created a personalized spaceman for him.  I gave it to him when we sat down to do our writing this evening. I showed him how to use it and he loved it! And, success!  He had spaces between his words for the first time!

Mama’s Directions for a Spaceman

Materials:

  • a popsicle stick
  • glue
  • markers or crayons
  • scissors
  • computer and printer
Steps:
  1. Print out your child’s name in your favorite font (about 18-25 point depending on the font you choose). Set aside.
  2. Do a search for “free spaceman clip art” and find an image you like.  Copy the image onto a word processing document and print it.
  3. Using your markers or crayons color the letters of your child’s name and the spaceman.
  4. Cut out the letters and the spacemen.
  5. Glue the spaceman to the top of the popsicle stick.
  6. Glue the letters of your child’s name to the stick.
  7. Now you are done and now have a spaceman stick to use with your child.

Print the spaceman clipart and your child's name.

Color and cut out the letters of your child's name.

Color and cut out the spaceman clipart.

Glue the clipart on the stick. You can do the same on the other side as well if you like.

Glue the letters onto the stick.

Now your spaceman is done and ready to use! Have your child write a word, place the spaceman after the word and begin writing the next word on the other side of the stick. Repeat after each new word.

Note: Eventually your child will not need the spaceman.  This is just a tool to help your child become aware of the spaces between words and to give him a guide for making the spaces.

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