I am needing to find something for my two boys they will be in 9th and 5th. This will be my 2nd year to home school. I need ways to make sure they are getting enough "writing" work. Both the boys will be using Language with Abeka again. I know there will be book reports and such, but I am afraid they won't get all they need in this area. It is not my area, but my husbands. So when they do write something he will be the checker Last year my oldest took an outside Lit/Writing class and he got that writing. But this year he will not be taking an outside class. Any ideas on what we can use? I told my husband that he will need to come up with different writing assignments. But would love more ideas
You could have them keep journals. That is what I am having my 7 yr old do, and I remember doing the same for several yrs in school. You can supply a topic daily or have them write about what they wish each day. This is a good way to get in a good bit of writing and is good for them on other levels as well, and would also make something great to go back over when they are older. Hope this helps.
Well, my old recomendation was Writing Strands... BUT! I just got Caught'Ya Grammar (I got the Giggles in the Middle book) and think I will dump Writing Strands and all other forms of language arts because not only does she suggest the kids do the daily Caught'Ya, she suggests a daily journal too. I will also be adding in fun books like the ones from Brian P. Cleary and the Scholastic Grammar Tales to make learning all the parts of speech and such fun when I need them for my little ones.. and when they get to about 1st grade or so we will get the elem Caught'Ya book... I am in LOVE with this concept!
Thanks ladies...I just really want my son that is going into high school be ready for the college writing...This scares me that he is going into high school
If you're going for actual writing and not handwriting how about making them start/keep a blog. M-W-F you assign a topic-T&T they pick. Or a daily journal if you want pen to paper. Do they have magazines they like? Encourage them to write in about whatever it is they are passionate about. Did a newspaper article make them angry-have them write to them. Is there a website or blog they like that takes contributor posts? Have them submit one. Rotate what form they have to write in daily-letter, essay, poem, ect-there are then of course more specific choices within those you can chose to assign or let them pick... Instead of just book reports ask them to write reviews of books, CDs, Movies, websites, games, a new product they try, a new recipe you try out for dinner.... Stop reading a story on page 100 or half way through or wherever and have them finish writing the story before you read the ending. Have them write an article after doing an interview (with a grandparent or someone who works in a field of interest...) Have them write a song. (if no one is musical, use a karaoke CD and an existing tune with your own words) Pick a "hot topic" for them and have them write debate papers on opposing views-here's the kicker-make them write from the other one's point of view! HA! Now that's parenting! LOL Have them put together a family newsletter. Send it out 1,2,3, or 4 times a year. If you don't really have anyone to send it to-do a family yearbook instead. Write to a solider or pen pal? (I like to write-can you tell? LOL)
I just spent a few weeks trying to decide between Jump in writing and Saxon writing...and finally ordered Hands on Essays. lol. (for 5th and 8th grade) I am also doing Caught ya grammar. and I am going to have them listen to the grammar girl podcast at breakfast. We are starting with English because the boys dislike it so and it tends to get pushed back if I let them choose what to do next. (whatever the subject is...it goes ahead of English)
Have you started the Caught Ya yet? I think we will begin on Monday with it. What do your kids think about it.
Simply Sonita had some great ideas! If you want to prepare them for college, then they must be able to write a well-organized and coherent essay. Your 9th grader should be ready for that. I'd keep writing for the 5th grader pretty informal at this point though, just focusing on his ability to express himself in writing.
