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My post on writing is going to be short and sweet (I talked a bit about some writing already in my reading post). Two things for writing 1) Handwriting without the Tears and 2) Bravewriter. 1) The mechanics (physical learning how to write the letters). No better program out there (in my opinion) than Handwriting without the Tears. What I love the most - she doesn't put any grade level information on her books so kids don't know if they are behind/ahead grade level. 2) not a lot on the page but just enough to give excellent instruction and practice. She interests children with something on the page. And it's an excellent language arts program that include when/why to use captialization, punctuation, grammar etc. And it's an excellent value. Lastly doing a page (or two when they are older) a day gives excellent discipline/practice in handwriting. If you do nothing else, it's enough. I know because that's all we've really done over the years for "writing". 2) Once they have the mechnics down (or while they are getting the mechanics down) you can begin implementing Bravewriter. Bravewriter is a lifestyle of writing and there is too much information on how wonderful this program is to include in a single blog entry. Suffice it to say you can use it all the way through your homeschool journey (so an excellent value of both time and money) and the end result is a writer who will love to write with THEIR writer's voice. OK a couple of pet peeves. I think writing (as it's presented in the public school system and in most writing "curriculums" is overrated). I feel like it's presented in a style that assumes that every student will end up being an author or an editor one day. This is not true. If a child wants to be an author you don't need to coerice them into writing, they will love writing. And they usually get their love of writing from READING!! Case in point: http://www.sacbee.com/107/story/814315.html They other thing is kids writing is overly criticized in the public school and sadly enough by some homeschool Mom's. One thing that Bravewriter has taught me is praise, praise, praise ALL writing. Correct mistakes only on pieces that will be "final"/published pieces and choose only 2-3 corrections for the child to correct themselves and you quietly correct the rest. Once a child "masters" the 2-3 things that they are responsible for they can move on to correcting 2-3 "new" things. Also I believe working on things like spelling and grammar etc., can all be taught by reading, narration, copywork and dictation and writing. In fact I believe it has a bigger impact. What about an "obscure" word or "grammatical" theory that they may need to know -- teach them how to use a dictionary and reference material (but even that doesn't need to be done until the higher grade levels). Yes children need to be literate - but I always look at how I use writing in MY everday life..... I make lists, I write emails, blog entries and hmmmm not much else. My husband in his well paying computer job does mostly emails, documentation/instructoinal type pieces that involve a lot of cutting and pasting and he has a little scribbler on his desk that he journals in his day to day pieces of info that he needs to refer to. We don't write novels. If we wanted to write novels we would be. And you'll KNOW if you have a child that will be a writer and I pray that you just let them write and praise and praise and praise. And I don't think quantity = quality. If you look at the amount of writing required by most curriclum ( and that's just in Language Arts, what about all the other subjects that they are required to write in), kids are asked to do a large amount of writing everyday. No wonder they hate it. Also be aware that some boys (and girls but it's more prevelant in boys I have one) that really struggle with the physical writing itself, (if they can do the work orally but hate "worksheets" or writing down what they know, this may be the case). There is a term for this it's called "dysgraphia" and you just need to be aware or it and there is lots of accommodations you can make for them so that writing is not such a painful experience. OK lastly ....I think children's writing should be shared and in homeschooling circles I don't think we do this enough (I know I don't and I'm just realizing now how important and how "reinforcing" it is to a child). Find an outlet for your child's writing. Recently a homeschooling friend has created a "newspaper" for homeschooled kids by homschooled kids that includes all kinds of "pieces" including writing. I think it's a wonderful idea for kids to showcase their talents and find purpose in writing rather than just doing an "assignment". Well this is getting long isn't it (and I thought I had nothing to say on the subject). I hope it's helpful to someone, I know it's helped me in putting my thoughts on the subject down on paper (see writing with a purpose). Have a great day and happy writing! |
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Posted by Kristen