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Message |
    
Alisha Hauser (alisha)
Senior Member
Username: alisha
Post Number: 45
Registered: 05-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 02:11 pm: |     |
Hi all,
I have been having terrible computer problems I have wanted to respond before now.
This is the first year I am requiring Thomas to do some creative writing (on a regular basis) for school. Before he made books and stories on his own,but his interest moved on to other things.
We are doing the 3 day writing plan. I think it is a great idea. Today we are on day 2.Yesterday he wrote a small story about Suzy our cat, and is correcting today. Tomorrow we will see what he wants to do with it.
I can't say he really enjoys it. :-( no matter what it is he would rather play with his little sisters. I have to remember he is only 9 3/4 LOL.
Christina (8 next month!) I have her doing copy work, poems and such. She also writes on her own, which I leave alone unless she asks. I have Thomas do copy work once in a while too. I think it help to practice some of the greats to get a feel for good writing.
I have not been consistent in the past about their writing skills, but plan to be this year.
Alisha><>
In NC,Wife to Frank, Mommy To Thomas 9, Christina 7, Rachel Joy 3 yrs, & Abigail 1yr |
Jaana (jaana)
Senior Member
Username: jaana
Post Number: 17
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 03, 2004 - 06:23 am: | |
Hi,
Discussion:=20
Have any of you had success with creative writing with your children?=20
Only just very recently has our 11yo dd discovered creative writing. = It is so exciting! We use the creative writing to learn about grammar, = punctuation and spelling. I explained to dd that the errors she makes = shows us the areas which we are to learn about. This took the pressure = off her and dd feels free to just write and not worry too much about = making errors. So far it's working.=20
Ds 9yo is still resisting writing, so I take dictations and he is very = happy to later read what he "wrote".
Do they enjoy it?=20
I think dd is beginning to enjoy the fact that she can express herself = through her pen and know that soon she'll not have to struggle as much = with spelling etc.
What types of things have they written about?=20
dd- Once upon a time type stories. We are working on developing depth = to her writing. I believe it will come as she gains confidence in = writing skills.
Any of you with reluctant writers? Did it get easier
YES! as above, dd hated writing, even copywork until very recently. So = in an attempt to remain stress free I never pushed too hard at all. Then = all of a sudden dd just developed in many different ways and writing = willness was one of them. PTL! |
Susan (susan)
Moderator
Username: susan
Post Number: 245
Registered: 05-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 04:59 pm: | |
Dear Friends,
The next sub-heading in this last section is about creative writing. This is an area I have sorely neglected with my own children.
And yet, even so, my daughter has always written her own stories, illustrated them, her own poems, her own posters and flyers…so I never thought too much about it. My son, who is still learning how to write, has never shown any interest, and I, to my shame, have not encouraged it, thinking that since he cannot read, he cannot create a story. WRONG! He could have been dictating stories and poems for the past few years, and at age 9, he was totally uninterested. Now, at age 13, he still struggles with writing, with transfering his thoughts to paper.
Anyway, here’s the overview, and hope it will inspire some of you to greater effort than I took! I have made the New Year’s Resolution, however, that I will make more effort to encourage my son to create stories and books…
CREATIVE WRITING
Use creative writing to help teach grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and increase vocabulary. By introducing these parts of grammar and sentence structure AS NEEDED for the younger child, it means much more to the child than disconnected from his own writing.
KEEPING A JOURNAL
There are several different types of journals one can keep. A bible study journal, a prayer journal where prayers and answers to prayers are recorded, a personal journal that is like a diary, a travel journal, a unit study journal, etc. These are great opportunities for creative writing as well as learning how to record events and experiences accurately.
THREE-DAY CREATIVE WRITING PLAN
The most important thing about writing is having something to say. This brings to my mind sharing the gospel. What a great thing to be able to communicate effectively for Christ! And is not our chief goal to train our children for His service? To this end, learning to write is very important.
Day #1: Writing Day! Read a story or magazine article to your child. Ask him to write about something he enjoyed or learned from the story. Have him think about what he wants to write, and ask you about any spelling of difficult words, such as names and places, before he begins. Have him only write as many sentences as is equal to his grade level. Grade four writes four sentences. Do not worry about spelling, handwriting, or punctuation. Just let him enjoy writing. When he is done, have him read it to you.
Day #2: Editing Day! Ask him to take out his story, read it, and make any corrections by circling the error and writing the corrections above it. After he has checked his own work, have him bring it to you to discuss it. He is still in charge of the editing pen, however! Do not overwhelm him with too many things to learn at once. For instance, a beginner may only be concerned with capitalizing the first letter of the sentence, and placing a period at the end. Commas, question marks, and quotations come later on.
Day #3: Rewriting and/or Art Day: Allow the student to recopy his work, making the necessary corrections. If there is time, have him illustrate his work or make a cover page for his paper.
Keep the writing sessions very short. Don’t let it become stressful, and keep in mind the maturity level of the child.
Pages H-7 and H-8 give examples of different editing symbols, similar to the ones used by publishers and editors at magazines and newspapers. I would think it would be beneficial, especially to high school students, to learn what these symbols mean and to become familiar with how they look when used, so that whether in college or on the job they will understand what the professor or supervisor is trying to convey to them.
Discussion:
Have any of you had success with creative writing with your children?
Do they enjoy it?
What types of things have they written about?
Any of you with reluctant writers? Did it get easier?
Susan McGlohn
Homeschooling 10 years and still going strong!
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