Entries from July 2008 ↓
July 10th, 2008 — Junior High, Kim's blog, Reluctant Writers, Writing Games & Activities
Does your reluctant writer hate journaling, dictation, or narration? Do you need a way to encourage him? Try becoming your child’s pen pal!
This activity is best for children in the 8- to 12-year-old range, but you might also try it with other writing-phobic kiddos who live at your house.
Getting Started
First, buy an inexpensive spiral notebook or composition notebook. If a colorful or thematic cover helps to wow your child, so much the better. Otherwise, a plain one will work just fine. Begin by writing a prompt at the top of the first page. Here’s a good place to start if you need ideas.
Tell your child there are no rules, no right, no wrong. She must simply write about the given topic and express herself however she chooses. No critiquing is allowed!
At first, don’t expect much. All she may give you is lists! But eventually she’ll begin to write more, especially if she finds the prompt particularly appealing.
Turning the Tables
Next, let your child choose a prompt for you on the next page so you can write back to her. Offering her the chance to ask you questions can give her the sense of fairness and control. Who knows what she’ll want to know!
As your child’s confidence grows and she becomes more willing to write, you’ll start to get glimpses into who she is and how she thinks. Plus, you’ll have a treasure of recorded “conversations” between the two of you.
Give it a try!
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Kim Kautzer is co-author of the WriteShop program. Visit writeshop.com to learn more.
July 9th, 2008 — Encouragement, Kim's blog
persevere.
plan.
strategize.
focus.
breathe.
write.
Let go: forgive.
relax.
all this failing . . .
. . . take a nap.
—mary anne radmacher
We’ve all been in that stress-filled, stretched-out place where, having tried everything we know to do, we still come up empty. It boils down to this: Sometimes we’re just tired. And if we can accept that, and remember that the resting place brings refreshment to body and spirit, we can also accept that maybe it’s time to stop striving for a bit and simply . . . take a nap.
“For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.”
Psalm 127:2 NASB
. . . . .
Poem used by permission.
maryanneradmacher.com
maryanneradmacher.net
July 8th, 2008 — Conventions
If you homeschool in Southern California, you know that the CHEA Convention is one of the highlights of the year! With a great lineup of speakers and all sorts of curriculum exhibitors, you won’t want to miss this extra-special 25th annual event!
This is a perfect time to stop by our booth (#212) to ask questions, see what’s new, or browse through WriteShop books in person.
At the convention you can:
- See our full line of WriteShop products
- Purchase WriteShop Primary Book A!
- Learn how you can teach a WriteShop co-op class in your area.
- Find out more about online tutoring with WriteShop.
- Receive much-needed encouragement about teaching writing.
- Attend Kim Kautzer’s general session workshops
Writing Across the Curriculum at 11:00 a.m. Friday
Writing Games at 3:30 p.m. Friday
- Attend Kim’s exhibitor workshop
Teaching Writing: The Big Picture at 1:10 p.m. Friday
This year, at-the-door prices have been rolled back. So if you forgot to pre-register, it will cost the same at the door. Visit www.cheaofca.net for convention schedule, printable syllabus pages, and more.
And check WriteShop’s convention schedule to see where we’ll be next!
July 7th, 2008 — Elementary Ages, Junior High, Kim's blog, Teaching Writing, Writing Across the Curriculum
Who says writing must always mean a report or an essay? While it’s important that our kids know these skills, let’s face it: not everyone loves to write.
A More Painless Approach
Ben wasn’t so keen on writing when he was a kid. Even as a young teen, writing gave him no end of grief. Imagine his joy when I would give him a choice between a history report and some sort of project. The project always won.
One year, he made an amazing tri-fold display of the Renaissance and Reformation. He loved searching through old National Geographics (bought for a dime apiece at our library bookstore) for the perfect photos. Then he spent hours arranging them just so for a beautiful display. Writing a short report on the Renaissance didn’t seem so painful when it accompanied the project.
And what young boy doesn’t love all things soldier-ish and warlike? So it came as no surprise that Ben opted to make a Greek Hoplite helmet and shield as his 6th-grade Ancient Greece project. The little article that accompanied it, on the subject of Hoplite soldiers, was actually fun for him to write because he’d had such a great time learning about their armor, weapons, and ways of war.
Projects as Writing Alternatives
Special projects allow students to explore a subject in more depth without having to prove their knowledge the “traditional” way—via a long, dreary report.
Projects make great hands-on ways to study topics of special interest. Sure, some might end up as reports, but often a project will incorporate writing while allowing the student’s skills, talents, and passions to shine through. A project can:
- Appeal to different interests and learning styles.
- Immerse your student in a subject he’s crazy about.
- Call upon his unique skills and talents to create the project.
- Incorporate writing without the need for the writing to dominate.
One of Ben’s favorite projects was the construction of a sand pyramid and Sphinx. Living just an hour from the beach afforded us the freedom to head south for the day so Ben could make his project. He carefully carved and sculpted a fabulous Great Pyramid with a really cool replica of the Sphinx. We preserved his efforts on camera, and for his actual project, he made a flip book detailing the steps of the process in photos and words. The waves long ago washed away his sculptures, but they remain forever captured in his imaginative flip book.
Disguising the Broccoli
Writing across the curriculum gives students a chance to dovetail writing with other subjects you’re studying. Combining writing with history, art, music, or literature gives a child greater reasons for writing than “because I told you.” And just as hiding broccoli under cheese sauce makes it easier for veggie-phobes to eat their greens, combining a writing activity with a fun project makes the writing part easier to swallow too.
So as you begin to plan your lessons for summer or fall, why not provide your struggling or less-than-enthusiastic writer with an opportunity to gain some success through a project?
Projects shouldn’t take the place of other writing. After all, your kids still need to know how to write stories, essays, reports, and letters. But a project that includes writing will expand your student’s knowledge, vocabulary, and writing skills as he builds, draws, sculpts, paints, cooks, compares, or composes.
I’ve got so many great ideas for projects that appeal to all sorts of learners. Check back now and then for more ideas to spark writing in a brand-new way!
And if you’re a WriteShop user, you’ll be excited to know there’s a Writing Across the Curriculum section in Appendix B to help you tie each WriteShop assignment into other subjects you’re studying. No projects here, but at least you can direct the lesson toward history or science and kill two birds with one stone!
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Attending the CHEA Convention in Long Beach, CA next week? I’m presenting a Writing Across the Curriculum workshop with lots more great ideas! –Kim
July 3rd, 2008 — WriteShop Primary
Book A is on the press!
We’re in the mood for celebrating and just plain jumping for joy! At long last, the much-awaited WriteShop Primary Book A is available for pre-orders.
WriteShop Primary is the delightful new program for children in K-3 grades. Book A, the first in the series, targets kindergarten and first-grade students, but you can also use it with second graders who have limited or no writing experience.
See a sample lesson
Our website is now filled with all sorts of information about WriteShop Primary. Begin at the WriteShop Primary Home Page and visit the other links from there. You can find:
FREE Gift with Pre-order
To add to your fun, we’re including the accompanying Activity 
Set Worksheet Pack ($4.95 value) for FREE to everyone who pre-orders Book A by July 20!
There’s one 2-sided worksheet for every lesson in Book A, along with evaluation charts to help you track your child’s progress.
The copyright give permission to reproduce worksheets and charts for single-family use, or you may purchase extra workpacks for additional children.
Hurry over to the store to pre-order your new book. You and your child will just love it! Books will ship in mid-July.
July 2nd, 2008 — Wordless Wednesday
My fourth contribution to Wordless Wednesday as I search high and low to bring you the best (or is it worst?) of bad signage!
Ready for some fun? What’s wrong with this picture? How many errors can you find?
