Show students a sample essay that you have created about your grandparents. Acknowledge key components of the essay. Explain to students exactly what you expect of them. Pass out lined paper and pencils to each student. Give students time to think about what makes their grandparents unique and why grandparents are special. If any child in the room is not close with his grandparents, help him choose another person to write about. When students finish, have other students check for mistakes. Look over the paper and discuss changes that need to be made with the students. If desired, instruct students to make cards and include the essay for the grandparents to read.
Discuss acrostic poetry with students. Explain that in this type of poetry, a poet chooses one word to use as the subject. Then every line of the poem would begin using a letter from the poem. Rhyming is not necessary. Display several examples on the board. Tell children that the word they choose as their subject should pertain to grandparents. Give children two sheets of blank paper. On one paper have children write down ideas and practice their poems. Once you have approved a poem, the students can write the final acrostic poem on the other blank sheet. Attach these to colorful construction paper and hang in the hallways for grandparents to see.
Students will enjoy partner reading with a grandparent. Take students to the library. Explain that they should select books that they feel will interest both themselves and their grandparents. If a grandparent is not available, have them select another adult or trusted elderly person. Create a reading log for the students to take home. Have the adult sign each day until they finish reading the book together. This is a great way for children to work on critical reading skills and bond with a loved one.
Instruct students to write a research paper on famous grandparents in history. Discuss with students possible resources to use, such as encyclopedias, biographies or the Internet. Make sure to be close by as students use the computers. After students write the report, look over it for mistakes. As a final step, students should do a re-write and present this version in front of the class.