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.