There’s something I noticed over the last short while, while I was worrying about Meaghan’s writing skills and what to do about it.
Both Addison and Sarah had the same level of skill when they were Meaghan’s age. Addison had a lot of writing books, Sarah maybe less. I’m not convinced it made one bit of difference. It seems that when they both hit a certain age, around 13-14, they both found things they intensely wanted to write about. Not only that, they became self-correcting. I think this is due to the fact they read often and read well.
Addison had decided to write his own series of fantasy/science fiction type novels with some homeschooled friends of his. I lost count of how much they produced when they moved onto book four. The boys alternated chapters, and both groups of parents decided to let them produce as much as they wanted, without us grading them. They wound up not only self-correcting, but correcting and editing each other. Occasionally, I did read over quite a bit of material and have noted much improvement over the years. Some of the earlier work they produced is at Addison’s old website.
Now Meaghan is starting to find things she wants to write down. Now I know that in time, it will become more cohesive (and neater) and as she increases her knowledge base, she will start to correct herself. Recently, she decided she would try and write a book much like ones she had been reading from the library, in the Teen Drama section. By the end of the week, she had fifteen chapters done. It wasn’t on the same level as the published novels she had been reading, nor would I expect it to be, but the sheer volume was more writing than she had produced at all in the previous year, and with no coersion.
Very cool. So in my experience, whether or not they did a writing workbook, they were at the same level until a certain age, which then took off. All I need to do in high school is guide them and polish their skills.
Sarah is typing furiously behind me, and a few parents who have been here invaribly ask what typing program we use. Instant messengers, email and message boards. It’s worked. My only guideline is no webspeak. A couple hours a day at it, and she’s faster than I am.
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