The write start - Jennifer Hallissy 2010
The Office
Guidelines for the Activities
LITTLE KIDS HAVE BIG PLANS. So naturally, they’re pretty comfortable with the thought of climbing the corporate ladder, even at a young age. Newbie VIPs quickly get the hang of pushing paper, sorting files, and holding meetings. And need I mention that corporate bigwigs do some big-time writing? Drafting memos, signing paychecks, writing reports, and composing contracts is all in a day’s work for young entrepreneurs. In fact, if you set them up with a nice, cushy corporate space (preferably a corner office, with a view), you might just find them minding their own business from nine to five.
MATERIALS
∗ paper or legal pad
∗ sticky notes
∗ index cards
∗ business cards
∗ letterhead (see the chapter on “The Write Stuff”)
∗ pens and pencils
∗ stampers and ink pad
∗ file folders
∗ in and out box
∗ old computer keyboard or laptop
∗ old telephone or toy phone
∗ briefcase
∗ office attire for dress-up: blazers, neckties, high heels, and so on (optional)
HOW-TO
1. To start this play scenario off right, make a nameplate. Think along the lines of “Ms. Smith” or “Mr. Jones” with “The Boss” written underneath.
2. Show kids how to write, shuffle, stamp, sort, file, and otherwise attend to office-related paperwork.
Variations
For Scribblers: Pretend it’s your pre-writer’s first day on the job. Give them a little orientation to the office, and let them observe you at work to get the idea.
For Spellers: Spellers are particularly fond of signing their names on any and all important documents and of turning index cards into personalized business cards.
For Storytellers: Storytellers are ready to learn about memos. Show them how to fill out the “To:” and “From:” and “Re:” (short for regarding) sections, and they can write important directives from the boss below that (see “Memo” in the templates section).
For Scholars: In addition to memos, scholarly CEOs can practice writing agendas, meeting minutes, annual reports (don’t forget the pie chart!), payroll, budgets, estimates, invoices, brochures, contracts, and pink slips.