"Get young children to tell their stories, write it down, the child can read it."

I love the idea of teaching a child to read with their own words.  Last summer, I met a first grade teacher who allowed her children to write their own picture books which were kept in the classroom library.  Her students loved getting to read each others works and the authors loved sharing their writing with their peers.

I've always loved the idea of ending a writing unit with a reading.  Inviting parents into the classroom and letting each student share their work.