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transitioning to written narration
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I have just a few questions about transitioning my girls to written narrations. When is the best time to transition from oral to written narration? We just began doing CM this year, and I have the girls narrate after readings. They are doing well with the oral narration (ages 10 and 12), and I think they could probably transition to written. What are the signs that they can transition? Also, when I do a lot of the reading aloud, they are crocheting or something, and then we tidy up and are transitioning to another activity/lesson (me putting the baby down for a nap, that kind of thing). So should I have them immediately write the narration, or is it okay to let them write it during an independent work period, or at the very least, after they’ve tidied/put crocheting away/etc.? I’m just trying to gauge from your experiences what kind of time span your children wait after hearing/reading to when they actually write the narration.
I noticed on another post that someone suggested not correcting the narrations for a year. So what do I do with them to help them do better? Do I allow a stream of consciousness, or do I insist on chronological order, or do I just give suggestions for the next time? I do have ULW so I have the parameters they should follow for writing. Do I just implement those?
Thanks for your time and wisdom!
It sounds like both of your daughters are ready to try their hands at written narrations. I don’t see any reason why they can’t tide up first but I wouldn’t wait too long between readings and writings. I think children are ready when they are familiar with oral narration and have reached the appropriate ages and your daughters seem to be both.
If it were me, I wouldn’t correct anything at all for a whole year.
As a side note, I found that my daughter needed to read the books that we choose for written narrations to herself. She is a very auditory learner so I was surprised to learn this. Her written narrations left much to be desired until she began to do the readings herself. It’s also very important that the books chosen for written narrations lend themselves well to the process. The better the books, the better the written narrations IMO.
Thanks, Melanie32. Just to clarify, are you suggesting they read themselves what I’ve just read aloud, or are you saying if I see their narrations (written) lack some depth that they should read the passage again?
How many per week should I do starting out–just one? If so, based on what you’ve said above, would it be best for me to do that with a book they’re just independently reading? I was thinking of doing it for one literature book (independent) and one read-aloud (science or history) each week. Too much?
It really depends on your children but start with 1 written narration per week. Then try 2 in a few weeks and if it stresses them out go back to 1. Some kids don’t mind writing, others do. Respect that (or deal with the crankiness that results…lol). When doing whatever is their comfort level becomes easy, add in another. So if they relatively willingly do 1 per week wait until it becomes such a habit, so easy to them, that when you add a second they don’t really bat an eye. Also, never give up oral narrations! Just wanted to mention it – because the goal is NOT to move to only written narrations. Both are worthwhile skills!
As for doing it right away, that will depend on your kids too! I have some that would absolutely need to do it right away. I have others who can wait and do the written narration at some point that day. I have one who can do the written narration any time that week just fine.
I noticed that my daughter’s written narrations were much better when she read the material herself. From then on, I had her write her narrations from books she was reading herself. They became much more detailed. This may, or may not, be the case for you daughters. I just wanted to share in case it might help if you see your daughters struggling with written narrations.
Yes, I would start with one a week and then add in another when they are used to the process.
My daughter can write her narrations days after her readings, if need be. However, when she first started, I thought it best for her to do them as soon after the readings as possible. If she is unable to write her narration shortly after her readings, I have her narrate orally to solidify the information in her mind.
Hope that helps! 🙂
Thank you, ladies–you were a huge help! We’ll start next week, which may mean you’ll hear the distant groaning of female voices echoing from a tiny island in the Atlantic lol! Actually, I think they’ll like it better as they won’t feel like they’re competing to narrate orally. Tristan, I’ll still do oral narrations as you advised, but I think I won’t have to endure the hand waving/wagging of one girl wanting to jump in over the other 🙂
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