The words give me a paragraph can strike fear and paralysis for a writer of any age. Also, look at my page Practical Homeschool Writing Curriculum from Pre-K To High School for more tips.
I’m sharing tips in how to infuse confidence, explain what is a paragraph and share a free editable paragraph form to make writing fun.
Besides, there are numerous reasons why a child can be reluctant.
From not knowing what to write about to fear that their paragraph is wrong, kids can feel defeated before they begin.
Too, in the beginning when teaching my writers, I jumped into the process before explaining what is to be expected during the writing process.
For example, the first day should be spent on brainstorming. Writing down a word or phrase that comes to their mind about a subject.
It’s not about writing the ideas down exactly the way your writer wants to. It’s about getting a vibe about the topic.
Some kids are naturally creative, but for the most part kids need help in isolating what topic they want to write about.
HOW TO TEACH COMPOSITION RESOURCES FOR KIDS
First, look at some of the resources that have worked for me through the years.
8 Writing and Composition Resources For All Ages
Whether you’re teaching handwriting, composition, or creative writing solid tips come from having an abundance of composition and materials to choose from.
The Aesop for Children Story and D'Nealian Copywork Book, Volume I, includes seventy-three original unabridged fables illustrated by Milo Winter. Also included are copywork selections using the moral of each fable in D'Nealian style manuscript with adequate space for students to copy the included examples in their best handwriting. How to Teach Copywork:Copywork can seem simplistic. Give your child a sentence or two and have them copy it. It can also seem like busy work, but the benefits are great! Copywork is a simple introduction to handwriting, spelling, and composition. Have children copy only the best authors, with the best writing, and ideas to fill their growing minds. When to begin copywork:Once a child learns how to write their letters comfortably, they are ready to start simple copywork. Start with very short sentences and have them copy it, always in their best handwriting.
Learn basic communication skills with this updated Writing Strands curriculum for a new generation!
This Beginning 1 course was created for students learning to write sentences and paragraphs on their own. The assignments gently guide students through their work each day, helping them master basic writing with unique exercises on dialogue, reporting, interviews, role playing, persuasion, story writing, and organizing and grouping ideas.
In Writing with Ease, Susan Wise Bauer lays out an alternative plan for teaching writing, one that combines the best elements of old-fashioned writing instruction with innovative new educational methods. The Complete Writer workbooks (each sold separately) complement this plan with lessons, student worksheets, and teacher instructions for every day of writing instruction. Each covers one year of study. Used along with Writing with Ease, The Complete Writer, Level One (first in a four-volume set) complete the elementary-grade writing curriculum.
ump In, 2nd Edition retains the step-by-step features of the first edition and its conversational style, along with some humor to ease the fright of writing! Students master the art of writing paragraphs, different types of paragraphs, topic sentences, and main ideas (thesis statements). They also practice writing nine types of essays and one research report. Proofreading lessons are included, along with suggested writing schedules and specific student checklists for each essay assignment.Let student-directed Jump In, 2nd Edition teach composition for you. A suggested writing schedule and checklist come with every essay assignment.Teachers will enjoy the new grading grids for each essay in the Teacher’s Guide, making grading much easier.Middle school. Two semesters. 98 daily lessons.
Finally, your teens will write without dread! Have they almost given up on writing? Do they reach for the tissue box when you say, "Write an essay"? Do you worry they won't be ready for high school or college writing? Do they say they think of things to write but can't write them down? With THE POWER IN YOUR HANDS: WRITING NONFICTION IN HIGH SCHOOL, 2ND EDITION, they'll learn essay writing in a relaxed, nonthreatening atmosphere with a little humor thrown in. This 2ND EDITION includes proofreading marks and exercises, a new chapter on common grammar mistakes, and numbered lessons to easily keep track of daily lessons. This course teaches your teens what they need to know for high school and will be prepare them for college writing: persuasion, compare-and-contrast essays, literary analysis, a research paper with MLA documentation, and much more. In addition, students will learn how to write description and narration essays. Beginning writers will feel safe, and advanced writers will enjoy Digging Deeper lessons.
If you have ever felt mystified by, or unable to enjoy the significance of poetry, this book will lead you step by step to understanding and love of this branch of literature, guided by a gifted poet and teacher. The Art of Poetry is an excellent middle school or high school curriculum; it will teach the practice of reading a poem slowly and carefully, introduce students to the elements of poetry (such as imagery and metaphor) and the many forms that can make a poem, from sonnet to open verse. In the belief that practice is the best way to learn, this book is rich with explications, exercises, and activities. A biography of each poet is also included, and we are providing audio files of many of the poems.
Curriculum is a creative one-year writing curriculum for middle school students
Next, I want to share a few tips to help you understand the writing process.
Moreover, it’s hard to teach writing when we’re not clear how the process works.
THE PHYSICAL PART VERSUS THE MENTAL PART OF WRITING
One of the biggest reasons kids fear writing is that so many skills have to come together.
For example, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and the creativity to compose all meet when a child begins composition.
So, it’s very important to explain that because many skills are meeting, the writing process must be done in steps.
Steps are not necessarily in days but in the beginning they are.
Younger writers tire easily with both recalling how to write and composing their thoughts at the same time.
There is no rush. But it is important early on in their writing career to hear the words give me a paragraph.
Yes, let your child take his time with both the creative process of forming thoughts and the physical act of writing words. However, introduce the writing process as soon as possible.
As a rule of thumb around 4th grade is the time to write many paragraphs.
A paragraph is the building block of a lifelong writer.
WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH
So, what is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a group of sentences that talk about the same thing.
I begin by explaining a paragraph contains 5 sentences.
They are the 1 topic sentence, 3 supporting sentences, and 1 concluding sentence.
Then, explain what each sentence is about.
The first sentence tells you what the paragraph will be about.
And the second to fourth sentences are supporting sentences. They give you details and examples about the topic sentence.
Finally, the closing or concluding sentence wraps up what the paragraph is about. It leaves you with a lasting thought about what the paragraph is about.
As you can see once a child learns to write just one paragraph that example can be duplicated to turn one paragraph to a five page essay. Each page essay represents one 5 sentence paragraph. Now the goal is more clearer.
Paragraphs help make your writing clear and organized. Once a child learns to write one well formed paragraph writing becomes exciting.
Each writer desires to write about topics they are passionate about. Our children are no different.
My form below helps to get your child on the road to writing.
Then, look at more activities.
MORE HOMESCHOOL WRITING CURRICULUM & TIPS
- Which One is Really the Best Homeschool Writing Curriculum (a comparison)
- Faith-Neutral Homeschool Grammar and Writing Program
- 3 Ways to Choose the BEST Writing Curriculum (for a Growing Homeschool Family)
- Why It Is Hard to Teach Homeschooled Kids Writing But Not Impossible
- Homeschool Writing Program For Middle and High School Students
Also, look at this series Daily Paragraph Editing which is another great way to focus on paragraphs.
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