My oldest ds does not like to write and I'm not sure how much to push it at 7. We usually do handwriting first off and he does fine with that.... we're using A Reason for Handwriting and he only has to do 1/2 page per day. We use R&S for lang. arts and it has a LOT of writing. We do most of it orally.... I don't think there's any need in him doing *that* much. But I do think he needs some practice in writing correct sentences, capitalization, punctuation and all that. I usually have him write 3-5 sentences (very short) in Eng., but then if he has to write any sentences for Reading he pitches a fit. He doesn't have to write sentences in Reading every day, and about half the time when he should I let him do it orally. But am I expecting to much from him or is he just an average boy who'd rather be outside playing and he's going to have to learn to deal with it. Another thing, I wanted to start have him narrate a short story back to me after we've read it. My plan was that I would write down what he said and then have him copy it. I was thinking one paragraph, maybe two, and only doing this once a week. Whadaya think?? He's my first so with him I'm still trying to figure everything out. Am I being to easy on him or to hard? My gut says I'm not asking to much, but I'm just not sure what the average amount of writing is for a 2nd grader..... not that I'd neccesarily go with the average, but at least I'd have an idea! Thanks:love:
I like having them do copy work. Sometimes this is his AWANAS verse. Sometimes it's a few sentences from a book we're reading in history. Or maybe it's a famous proverb or saying. I agree that often doing the English out loud is fine. You really don't want to over-burden them.
I am in the same boat! My ds just turned 7 and is entering 2nd grade. He sounds so much like your son...he HATES writing anything and if I ask him to, it takes forever because he doesn't just do it and get it done. But I don't think you're asking too much. From what I've heard about his previous ps, they ask for much more (which I think is too much). I'm aiming to do about what you said... we'll be doing writing work and I compromise in his handwriting book by allowing him to copy it perfect 1 time then he'll be finished with that. If he messes it up or slops through it (as boys often do ;p) then he needs to rewrite the sentence the correct way. I'm switching to the classical curriculum for english this year, so I'm not sure how much extra writing there will be, but it sounds along the same lines as you're planning. Good luck and if you EVER come across anything that makes it easier/more enjoyable for them, please share! lol!
Rachael use to take forever, too. So I told her OK, she could put it away and do it "later". Only, "later" would be at 6:00 that evening. Finally, I heard, "WAIT!!! I have soccer practice tonight at 6!" "Then I guess you'll have to call Coach and explain to him why you won't be able to be there tonight...." She got it done VERY fast, lol!
My Jeannie does the same thing, and I can tell you we don't do near the writing they do in school. They must learn to write, their writing must mature over time, and it's something we must enforce. I recently talked to a teacher friend about how high Jeannie scored on her reading placement test. My friend said to be sure I watch that her writing catches up to her reading. She said former homeschoolers have been placed in her class over the years, and she could tell which parents were vigilant on this and which weren't. She said basic writing skills just weren't there. She wasn't being mean, she was cluing me in on what to watch for. She said if the kids don't get a good foundation in writing they will most likely have problems with it in the future. Guess I'll be buying earplugs for the upcoming year, sigh....
I kid you not, I hear this same complaint in most of the classes Jeannie goes to. The moms all say the same thing, that the child 'hates' to write, they drag out the assignment because of it, and the mom and child both end up frustrated.
My 8 yr old DD doesn't love writing either. It used to be hard for her (due to vision issues)....now that those are better, I am having her write more this year for 3rd grade. We're easing into it though. My oldest DD10 could write ALL DAY. Gotta love different kids with different personalities, etc. She was the same way in 3rd grade.....ie. should could write all day without complaint. My son is leaning more toward his middle sis....not a lover of writing at this point.
