Writing

Writing is a mystery to me.  I mean, really, how do you teach writing?  As a high school and then community college student the instructors wanted me to turn in an outline first.  I couldn't do it.  I would write my paper and then make an outline from what I had written.  There is so much to the writing process.  It isn't merely getting your ideas on paper.  You have to worry about grammar and spelling too.  I would sit there with a blank screen (or piece of paper) in front of me paralyzed.  I couldn't even start.

How do you teach writing to your students when it feels mysterious and is viewed as a possible form of torture?  You don't.  You let Andrew Pudewa into your home via DVDs and allow him to show your children that they CAN write and that it doesn't have to be painful.  He has given us (teacher and student) the courage to take that first step, because that is what most reluctant writers need ... a gentle nudge.  Okay, so some of us need a shove.  Once you start you realize that can do this thing called writing.

Do I expect my kids to become world class authors?  No, we need help getting started.  We'll worry about perfection on down the road.

What we are using: Student Writing Intensive Level B from the Institute for Excellence in Writing.

Back in the saddle...again

Luckily for me I am blessed with a 14yo who is self motivated.  She has been setting school goals  (and accomplishing them) for most of the summer. 10yo and I on the other hand needed a break.  I tried to keep going but summer surrounded us.  She has roamed the neighborhood with friends and gone on field trips with the community summer park program.  It has been nice to relax after pushing ourselves to prepare for her first standardized testing experience.

The local schools will begin September 5th which is only a week-and-a-half away.  It is time for us to wake up a little earlier and ease into school with some daily lessons.  Time to be back in the saddle.

I have many things I want to accomplish with the girls this year.  In the simplest terms:

• 17yo - continue to gain confidence.  This kid has blossomed in the past year and it has been a blessing to witness.  She is a self-motivated unschooler who knits, cooks, sings with a choir, attends early morning seminary, watches teaching company lectures, and savors Daniel Schwabauer's writing programs (One Year Adventure Novel and Other Worlds).
• 14yo wants to focus on writing.  We have lots of other plans for her which will mostly be based on the Core Knowledge Sequence:  Content and Skill Guidelines for Kindergarten - Grade 8.
• 10 yo - consistency...period.