It just dawned on me today that I have been teaching using a formula too much. When students struggle with writing, it is sooo helpful to go back to the basics. Focus on the skills they need, and build up from there. But you know what.... sometimes that's just boring! It's hard when you want… Continue reading Types of Writing
Category: writing
Spelling for Littles
When you're learning to read and write, spelling can be a double-edged sword. It facilitates the learning process as your child internalizes the interplay between words and sounds. It frustrates your learner because nothing is spelled or pronounced consistently. Here's how to startAsk your child: How do you spell “HIT”?Break down the sounds /h/ -… Continue reading Spelling for Littles
Learning to Read, Part 4
As you’re beginning to teach sounds and letters, writing is not a focus. It is a separate skill. So, if your child struggles with writing, it’s ok – practice it separately (I’ll give ideas later). However, if your child is ready for some writing, it will help imprint the image in their mind and connect… Continue reading Learning to Read, Part 4
Writing for Beginners: Letter Formation
Nothing is more frustrating than getting a student (who DOESN'T want to write) to write. How can we mitigate the problem and make writing more enjoyable? This post is specifically about handwriting and beginning writing for younger students. This isn't necessarily for older students, or those who are past the basic writing skills. But primarily… Continue reading Writing for Beginners: Letter Formation
Reference Guides Galore!
Photo by Nubia Navarro (nubikini) on Pexels.com I'm a sucker for a cheat sheet. My favorite thing (during my very misspent youth, apparently) was reading the reference guides on the American Civil War, on Grammar Rules, Weights and Measurement Conversions, or on Chemistry formulas. There's just something satisfying about seeing everything you kinda know laid… Continue reading Reference Guides Galore!
How to make writing less painful (for younger students)
I get it. Not everybody likes to write, and that's ok. However, I have found that usually this dislike for writing starts somewhere. Your job as a parent or as a teacher is to figure out what the sticking point is, and alleviate the tension. Figure out what exactly it is that make writing so… Continue reading How to make writing less painful (for younger students)
Making writing more fun! Introduction
Writing can be really difficult for your child, I get it! One of the BEST ways to encourage your child to write is to MAKE IT FUN. What is fun for your child? What are their interests? Video games? Horses? Their friends? It's ok to write about these things (especially in the beginning) because it's… Continue reading Making writing more fun! Introduction
Writing Resolutions
Are you looking to make writing more fun? It’s not too late in the year to write resolutions with your kids! It helps them be able to set goals for themselves- and you can incorporate some writing J For elementary students (or your crafty older kids!) make a fun resolution organizer! Take a piece of… Continue reading Writing Resolutions
Change up those writing assignments!
In school, writing is broken up into three major categories. These are called Expository (Fact) Writing, Narrative Writing, and Argument (Opinion) Writing. Is one of your goals this year to have your child practice doing different types of writing? One way you can mix up their writing is by having them write about the same… Continue reading Change up those writing assignments!