help me teach writing

[kathymuggle]

For numerous reasons, I think my older kids are feeling more amenable towards gaining more writing skills.

I know they look to me as a resource, but I am a little lost.....

I do not consider myself the best writer (and actually consider a lot of writing boring - grammar in particular). anyone have a skill they want to exchange - I will teach your kid math/Art if you do writing??? I am only partially kidding.

I am looking for basic composition and grammar sites, preferably for worksheets. My kids are older (11 and almost 14) - so if anybody knows any sites for remedial writing, that would be great.

I do want free resources, at this moment. I have spent money on writing resources before and they never really work out.

If anyone has any words of wisdom, I really am all ears (do you sense my fear?!?, lol) Writing is not my strong suit!

Kathy

[HoneyTree]

Kathy, my perspective is as a middle school classroom teacher turned unschooler, just to put that out there.

Studies show that new writers learn best when they have many good examples to look at, when they are using writing for authentic purposes, and when the lessons come from their own writing.

To start off with, I might find a fairly regular purpose for writing for which the kids were highly motivated. Letters to members of Congress about a particularly interesting issue? Writing a script for a family movie? Recording family memories for a scrap book? The form will depend on your kids and you. But your best results are going to come from kids who are really excited about their writing purpose, audience, and subject.

Then, take it one skill at a time. I wouldn't tackle every aspect of good writing at once. Let's say you notice the 10 y.o. hasn't quite mastered capitalization. When he hands you his writing, as you read it together, tell him the rule, then find and fix the examples together. Maybe make a little notecard with the rule on it, "Capitalize the first word in every sentence and proper nouns (the names of specific people, places, and things)." (That's not exhaustive, but it's workable, and it fits on a notecard.) Then post the notecard over his desk, or put it in a special notecard box, or tack it to a "Writing Corner" bulletin board, etc. Next time he writes, remind him to check his notecards before he gives it to you to read together. He may be able to find and fix a few, but it might take a couple of times, too. When it looks like he has a good grasp of capitalization, move on to another skill. Google something like "traits good writing" to find lists of what those skills are--some are worded better than others.

Then, as you're reading together, when you come across something you've just been over, point it out. "Hey! Amelia Bedelia's name is capitalized." And seek out writing that's in the same vein as that which your children are attempting: letters, plays, poems, recipes, etc.

That's my talking out loud, but hopefully you get my drift. Good luck!

[elizawill]

kathy, i have used http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/ it is prett good imho, and it is free. you can also try this site: http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghb.html

also, writing tales (which cost money) has free samples on their site. if this style meshes with your kids, you could probably create something similar on your own, ykwim? here's the link: http://writing-tales.com/sample.html

we are currently using spectrum writing (and spectrum grammar). they each cost about $5 used from amazon (s&h included). it's my favorite find for writing and grammar out of everything we've ever tried. i know you said you want free, but i thought that was worth mentioning.

hth.

ETA - google books has a pretty good preview of spectrum workbooks

[kathymuggle]

Thanks to both of you!

Off to google the links! I do like free, but inexpensive is fine, too

Kathy

[ikesmom]

The age and experience levels are varied and it seems interesting enough. http://www.readingrockets.org/books/...prompt#prompts

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/learn.jsp?grades=35-


I went to the CoreKnowledge site and they removed their lesson plans . They had a good paragraph writing template that was a traffic light. Green light was the topic sentence, yellow was the transition words , red was the details to add interest, and green again for conclusions- restating the topic sentence. This is similar to the paragraph writing hamburger or sandwich idea many people use.

[Callimom]

Kathy my absolute favourite writing program is Bravewriter's The Writer's Jungle. It's not free but the author has a blog and also a yahoo group which both offer free resources, suggestions etc.

Two more resources to check your library for:

If You're Trying to Teach Kids How to Write, You'Ve Gotta Have This Book

Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly

Daily Grammar blog might work for you.

My kids have also liked the editing exercises at Education World.

And this is from the same people who do the Mr Donn's history site - probably lots of good stuff in here.

hth
Karen

[khenn]

Bravewriter -- for sure!! I teach writing in our homeschool co op and use the Bravewriter materials. I started with 4th graders but am currently teaching 5th - 7th graders. I love everything about her philosophy. Be sure to check out the site as there is a lot of info available there.

She recommends doing grammar only 3 times in the course of the child's 12 years of education. My son is 5th grade and currently working through Winston Grammar which is what Julie from Bravewriter endorses. It's not terribly exciting but then ... it's grammar.

Kellie

[kathymuggle]

Thanks, everyone!

I have used a few links and am feeling a bit better. Really, I just had to stop stressing about how to do it - and do it

I have tried to keep it easy, gentle and fun. So far so good!

Kathy