I'm looking for something very basic for learning how to write (meaning, to write stories, not penmanship). Any thoughts? Keeping in mind that his mental writing will far exceed his hand endurance.
First, just let him get his stories out vocally. I'm setting it up so my students can speak their stories into the PC. Other then that, talk about how stories have beginnings, middles and ends. Talk about the different kinds of stories there are and make up stories in those formats, like folktales, fiction, myth, realistic fiction, fables etc. I imagine some stories will never be committed to paper, but I will probably have 6yo go back and write some stories and maybe even make whole books. I dont know just yet. Talk about grammar and how you use it when you write, maybe if someone is yelling we use ! or if they are going on and on and on...we use a ",". Teach him to put spoken words in "". I dont think that there is a program for this age range on writing.
That's where I'm not really sure where to start. He knows grammar and spelling pretty well (punctuation, nouns, verbs, etc.), but it's the "how to start, how to expound upon, and how to conclude" that he's never done. When he tells a story, it's either WAY too imaginative with so many paths you can't follow it, or it's way too simple to be called a story. I want to combine the two to make real writing ... fiction or non-fiction alike. I want him to be able to write a 1-2 paragraph story by the end of the year... or is that too much for a 2nd grader? I really have no idea? I think if he's writing 1-2 paragraphs, there will be no need for penmanship (unless we do it as part of his blog project). I can write for all of his other subjects so he doesn't get tired.
Gizzy how are you managing to set up computers up for that it sounds like something that would be really helpful when they are sick of typing but the ideas are still flowing.
Just a basic recording program on Windows called Sound Recorder. I've created a folder that says [6yo Name] and one that says [4yo Name]. I am going to let them sit and speak their stories when they want and save the file with the date and name. Thats all. 2littleboys, why dont you try a few creative writing sites. I have none off the top of my head but I know they are out there. Have your 2nd grader start by giving a summary of his story after he's had time to think about it. Try using an outline. and a brain storming picture map, help him toss out extras and keep the essentials to his storys summary and outline. I am aim for my 6yo 1st grader to be able to write a 1-2 paragraph story by New Years, but its going to take some work since I haven't ever seen any Creative Writing materials for kids below 3rd grade. Google around for some 2nd-3rd grade story outline worksheets, I am sure they are out there, or find some 4th grade outlines and just make your own from that.
I came back to recommend Draw Write Now. It looks interesting, I plan to get it eventually for my self and my students. Maybe working on that series can help.
I used Writing Strands 1 with my oldest. It explores the creative aspects of writing without physically writing anything.
I was going to suggest CLE LA (covers grammar, penmanship, spelling, and creative writing all in each daily lesson - it holds your hand for the creative writing - one creative writing assignment per unit), or Writing Strands 1 or 2.
I just googled Writing Strands, and I love it from what I can tell (except the report part... that page is annoying). I think I'd probably use level 2. Thanks for the ideas, everyone! Gonna see if I can find this used. Broke right now.
Evan-Moor books like How to write a story, How to write a poem, and so forth. I have sound a few of them on Paperback swap. I really like that they are just simple forms of writing without all the other stuff.
Besides going over the basic punctuation with my dc at that age I don't instruct them in writing. I want them to write as they enjoy it. I won't have expectations until they are about age 12 or so. For now they write to penpals and family, they write in journals and they create their own stories and illustrate them.
