Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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Subject Topic: Requiring more writing from dc Post ReplyPost New Topic
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Erin
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Posted: July 21 2005 at 7:42pm | IP Logged Quote Erin
I recently had a discussion with a friend and was sharing my plans about the new term and how I was planning focusing on writing and spelling more than I have.

Her comment was re- spelling that either children are good spellers or not. She also felt not to worry too much about writing as it will come when needed. Now I am familiar with these ideas. I have held them to certain degree myself.

However I am now feeling that perhaps I have done my children a disservice as they are not becoming good spellers or writers by osmosis. To date my children hardly have picked up a pencil throughout their day. Except for copywork and in our experience it doesn't produce good spellers. 10 minutes of writing a day (if that) is not working.

Last term after re-reading Ruth Beechick's book I started studied dictation, Monday's the children write a nursery rhyme, Tuesday I dictate the same passage. I believe I can see an improvement already. And dd(12) is taking more note of spelling and wanting to get it correct.

This term I am wanting the two oldest 12 and 10, to write some piece of writing and present it to Dad on Friday nights. We started this towards the end of last term and although the children grumbled occasionally I believe progress was made.

I am not feeling 100 percent confident in all this. (feeling my way in the dark really) But my mothers' instinct is saying that for our family this is the way we need to go at present.

Would love some comments from anyone who has experienced similar situations, or anyone who understands this process better than I.

I am needing bolstering.
God Bless

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juliecinci
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Posted: July 21 2005 at 8:02pm | IP Logged Quote juliecinci
Hi Erin.

Just a suggestion. I have a blog (Brave Writer) that might help you with some topics. You can look up the Friday Freewrites and use those topics as ways to stimulate some writing.

I'm with you on dictation. Copywork is a good start, but dictation seems to be the key to growing in spelling and punctuation. It's worked well with my kids.

Brave Writer Blog

You can get a feel for how Brave Writer works without purchasing the Writer's Jungle too. Just follow the blog and read the site and start slowly. Then you can determine if the Writer's Jungle will be right for you.

Julie

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Erin
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Posted: July 22 2005 at 4:55am | IP Logged Quote Erin
Julie,
This is so comforting to know that you think the same regards dictation. To be frank I am really finding it alot more beneficial than copywork. Although my oldest does have beautiful cursive.

I've already checked out your blog thoroughly and I'm planning on printing out as many of your ideas as possible. Sometimes I have purchased something and then the children haven't been keen. I thought this way I can check out whether they like the material first.

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