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How Will You Teach Writing? (Part 3)
Written by Kerry Beck   
Friday, 24 July 2009 08:09
Writing is often a difficult subject to teach kids, but using this method can simplify it for you and your students. Using predictable books to teach writing also simplifies your efforts as a writing teacher. After you outline a simple story, follow the guidelines below.
by KerryBeck


Writing is often a difficult subject to teach kids, but using this method can simplify it for you and your students. Using predictable books to teach writing also simplifies your efforts as a writing teacher. After you outline a simple story, follow the guidelines below.

DAY 2

Get your outline and a blank sheet of paper. If your child needs to refresh himself on the content, have him retell the story aloud. He can use the outline to help him.

Using the outline, have your child write a new sentence for each line. It is important to stress that the new sentence does not have to be exactly the same as the original. Don't be surprised to find that your child has even made the story better! Once each line is complete, your child will have a full paragraph.

Very young children may dictate each sentence as you write. At this point, you should check the paragraph for proper punctuation and spelling. Do not add or subtract words or rewrite the sentences - this is not your writing, it is your child's writing.

Older students who are capable of editing their own work for spelling and punctuation should do so on day three.

Day 3

On the final day your child will copy his completed paragraph making any of your changes for spelling and punctuation. Of course, there are places you will see that need improving, but you can teach those concepts in a later lesson. This is an activity to help your students see they can write something on their own. They does not have to worry about "what" to write any more because you will give him a source text from which to start.

You can repeat this activity as often as necessary. With practice, your child will improve his skills in outlining and writing. You can perform this exercise using paragraphs or stories from a wide range of interests - dinosaurs, fairy tales, even subjects they are learning about in class.

This is a wonderful way to teach your students how to write!

Information:

Kerry Beck enjoys helping homeschool moms and classroom teachers in narrative instruction. Sign up for her free mini-course about middle school writing now.
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