Writing Projects for younger kids

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  • January 10, 2014 at 2:55 am
    Megan
    Participant

    Hi everyone!  I could use some help with ideas for my 8 year old son…he’s been doing copywork for his writing, but I’d like to have him do more than that..maybe just once or twice a week.  He’s not the most creative writer, and I don’t want to overwhelm him, but I know he needs to be doing more and I’m not sure if there’s a good program we could use, or maybe a free resource online or story starter?  Thanks so much!

    Megan

    January 10, 2014 at 4:49 am
    jmac17
    Participant

    I think that copywork and lots of oral narration are all that’s really needed for an 8 year old.  However, I have an 8 year old DD who loves to write, so I went exploring for additional options.  If you feel like you need something, check out the Brave Writer materials.  We are just starting to use Bravewriter and I’m really enjoying it so far.  “Jot It Down” is the one geared toward ages 5 – 8.  It gives ideas about how to incorporate things like narration, poetry, recitation, nature study, etc. into your lives, and then some very relaxed writing projects.  They are designed so that the parent/teacher can act as scribe while the student is focused on the content of what they want to say/write, but an 8 year old could probably do some of the actual writing themselves.  My daughter does, but as I said, writing is her thing.  You could also scribe while the student dictates ideas, and then you could have him copy it out.  We are not even doing anything every single week, just when her interest is there.

    The main theory of the program is laid out in “The Writer’s Jungle” which is a resource for Mom to learn the basics of how to teach writing.  I would recommend it for working with older students, but it wouldn’t be absolutely necessary with younger kids.  You could just start with Jot It Down. 

    I’m sure there are tons of other options, but that’s what we are using.

    http://www.bravewriter.com/program/home-study-courses/jot-it-down-ages-5-8/

    It’s available right now through Homeschool Buyers Coop.

    https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/brave-writer/

     

    January 10, 2014 at 1:44 pm
    HollyS
    Participant

    I’ve been having my younger DC write as well (ages 6 and 9).  I have them write about field trips, in their nature journals, etc.  using the handwriting pages that are 1/2 lined and 1/2 blank (for a picture).  I think these are less intimidating than a page full of handwriting lines.  We also started doing the Bravewriter Friday Freewrite:  http://www.bravewriter.com/bwl/friday-freewrite/  I only expect my 6yo to write a sentence or two (and the spelling is terrible), but it’s a start.  My 9yo can write several sentences.  My DC have struggled with getting their thoughts down on paper, so I’ve personally found they are better off writing at a younger age, but maybe we just didn’t do enough oral narration in the earlier years.  My 11yo struggles the most with writing, so I’m hoping to avoid this with the younger ones.

    There are also tons of free journal prompts on the internet if you do a search.  Or the Narration Ideas list here if you haven’t seen it: http://simplycharlottemason.com/timesavers/narration/

    January 10, 2014 at 5:32 pm
    Megan
    Participant

    Thanks so much, ladies!!  I’ve never heard of Brave Writer, but I’m looking into it and it looks amazing!  I’m sure it would be great for 10 year old DD, too!  🙂

    January 10, 2014 at 9:56 pm
    Tristan
    Participant

    Just wanted to chime in that we LOVE Brave Writer too!

     

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