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At_His_Feet
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| Posted: July 14 2010 at 9:37pm | IP Logged
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I've given up on a formal English programme for my, ds12, in favour of allowing him to simply write. He even seems to enjoy it which is a lovely change from the tears over english *lessons*.
I would like to give him a list of ideas to get him started. Have you heard of such a list or resource so that I don't have to make it up myself? I don't want a heavy book or curriculum just something to get the creative juices flowing so that he doesn't sit around for half an hour saying he can't think of anything, and that my ideas are not interesting enough. Hope I'm making sense.
Thanks,
Tricia.
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Tricia
Mum to 3 boys 17, 15, and 10.
Do whatever He tells you
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: July 14 2010 at 9:47pm | IP Logged
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Julie at Bravewriter puts up a new writing prompt every friday. You can also access all of the past prompts by clicking on the friday freewrite category tag.
Bravewriter Friday freewrites
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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At_His_Feet
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| Posted: July 14 2010 at 11:29pm | IP Logged
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Perfect!
Thanks Theresa. 
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Tricia
Mum to 3 boys 17, 15, and 10.
Do whatever He tells you
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Erin
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| Posted: July 15 2010 at 6:34am | IP Logged
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Tricia
Often I find that presentation of an idea can make a big difference to co-operation. Sometimes we have a 'writing jar', so ideas such as Theresa has linked to, but I type lots of ideas out, cut them into strips and place them in the jar. The children then select an idea. I think part of the success is they feel a sense of ownership over the direction.
I also have a list compiled/brainstormed of ideas from our Writing Club kids. I'm searching for it and will share it with you when found. I like it because they were ideas from the children.
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anitamarie
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| Posted: July 15 2010 at 10:46am | IP Logged
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Erin wrote:
Tricia
Often I find that presentation of an idea can make a big difference to co-operation. Sometimes we have a 'writing jar', so ideas such as Theresa has linked to, but I type lots of ideas out, cut them into strips and place them in the jar. The children then select an idea. I think part of the success is they feel a sense of ownership over the direction.
I also have a list compiled/brainstormed of ideas from our Writing Club kids. I'm searching for it and will share it with you when found. I like it because they were ideas from the children. |
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What would you do with a child who, once he/she sees the topic, declares that he/she knows nothing about it, can't think of a thing to write about, and gets all worked up about it? Looking for ideas, here.
God Bless,
Anita
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Mackfam
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| Posted: July 15 2010 at 11:27am | IP Logged
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anitamarie wrote:
Erin wrote:
Tricia
Often I find that presentation of an idea can make a big difference to co-operation. Sometimes we have a 'writing jar', so ideas such as Theresa has linked to, but I type lots of ideas out, cut them into strips and place them in the jar. The children then select an idea. I think part of the success is they feel a sense of ownership over the direction.
I also have a list compiled/brainstormed of ideas from our Writing Club kids. I'm searching for it and will share it with you when found. I like it because they were ideas from the children. |
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What would you do with a child who, once he/she sees the topic, declares that he/she knows nothing about it, can't think of a thing to write about, and gets all worked up about it? Looking for ideas, here.
God Bless,
Anita |
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Anita,
I hope it's ok to chime in. I can certainly understand the frustration your child expresses. I do not ask my children to write about things they don't know about. In fact, it's a particular priority of mine to ensure that writing is always based on something they know of and can speak to. My children write a narration after they have read a section of a living book - in this way, the material is fresh, it's engaging, and they DEFINITELY know about it because they just read it! So, if your child says he doesn't know anything about a topic that is assigned/offered, how about working with them to suggest a topic they do know about and plug that into the assignment?
Another idea is to change the perspective. Sometimes, my child has trouble writing a narration on a topic they DO know about because all they can think of are dry, uninteresting approaches. I've had a child claim not to know anything about a topic before, and the issue wasn't in the knowing, it was really in the inspiration needed to invite the words out. A shift in perspective was all that was needed. An example: the assignment is to write about Christopher Columbus' journeys after reading of them. Deer in the headlights. New assignment: You are a stow-away on board one of Christopher Columbus' ships, describe your adventures as you would in the style of a ship's log, or as a letter home! Big difference.
If you're looking for creative topic starters, you could always come up with some ideas that you know your kids are really passionate about, and write them on little strips of paper as Erin talks about and put them in a hat or jar and let them choose. You know your kids! You'll be able to choose topics they know about. Erin's other idea of giving the kids the assignment of coming up with things they *know about* or could write about would be fun too.
Now, if your child is balking just because he/she doesn't want to write, and the issue isn't really with *he doesn't know the topic suggested*, that's another topic entirely!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
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anitamarie
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| Posted: July 17 2010 at 8:17pm | IP Logged
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Jen:
Actually, it is a matter of resistance with this child. This child loves to write, as long as it's his idea. He is only asked to write about topics he has about which he has studied. Never anything out of the blue.
Anything new or different, and it's an automatic "I can't do it", "I won't do it", etc. Even if I have had a meeting with him about it, discussed what we will be doing differently, he's agreed to it, etc. This is an across the board attitude (which he comes by honestly  ). This past school year when he was required to write a cinquain, he argued for half an hour that he couldn't do it. When he finally gave up, he wrote an excellent cinquain about how dumb cinquains were. 
He's a great kid, very bright, (too much for his own good), very funny, but resistant to change or anything new, and he can argue. (I can foresee a career in the law.) I guess I just wish we didn't have to have this exhausting argument on an ongoing basis. (Every new book, topic, writing assignment, course). It's tiring sometimes being the brick wall he needs to bump into a hundred times. I do know that his persistence will come in handy as an adult, it's just a little hard on the Mom in the meantime.
I didn't mean to hijack the thread. I think the jar of topics could be great for some of my others.
Thanks for your input.
God Bless,
Anita
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Erin
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| Posted: July 17 2010 at 8:29pm | IP Logged
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Anita  I get this I really do, most of my children can be like this. This is why the jar worked for us I think because they were in control. But at times it doesn't. I'm uncertain how old your child is but I venture to guess under 14? I can console you with the fact that exhausting as it is all on you, boy I know, maturity will make some difference. With maturity they can see perhaps mum has a point.
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Erin
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Belle
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| Posted: July 20 2010 at 5:56pm | IP Logged
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Totally stealing this idea too! I think I'll even extend it to other subjects also. (Like history essay/assignments...etc)
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4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: Writing topics. Creating/finding a list.
