Another one of the earliest notebooks we implemented in our homeschool was a writing notebook.
The writing notebook was the one that was typically bursting at the seams by the end of a school year. At times this large notebook just expanded beyond the current year into the next year, and the next — never really having a good place to cut off.
In the beginning the writing notebook held brief writing assignments, narrations, or sometimes copywork. Then it grew to the short story in progress, the errant descriptive piece, or the essay. There were rough drafts, and edited drafts, and final drafts included.
And when you looked back, it was thrilling for student (and Mom) to see the incredible progress.
When you require your children to write every day, you need plenty of room to store their work!
Write Something Every Day: 366 Pencil Sharpeners for Students of Writing
Our book will get you started. This huge 554-pg. resource provides carefully crafted writing prompts and challenges for each day. We use nearly 20 different forms of writing to keep the student engaged. Also included are writing instruction, tips for modifying assignments for “younger writers,” and other resources. Learn more.
Suggestions
Have your students do one or more of the following (resources below will help):
- Since this notebook will be visited each and every day, give your child time to personalize it, making it his own and a place he will enjoy spending time.
- Require your child to write every day. Can’t emphasize this principle enough. Of course, that means you need to become his writing tutor, and you will have to edit his work every day. But that time invested reaps great rewards.
- In the beginning, it is quite likely your child will not know what to write. Keep a few writing ideas or prompts handy for the occasion. One of the options can always be copywork. This prevents a child from being required to be creative when he doesn’t have anything to output.
- Keep your child reading. To have an output (write) we must have an input (read). Exercising his imagination will better enable him to provide outputs.
- Include:
- Copywork.
- Narrations.
- Dictations.
- Essays.
- Comparison/contrasts.
- Descriptive writing.
- Outlines.
- Biographies.
- How-to essays.
- Book reviews.
- Letters.
- News stories.
- Research papers.
- Persuasive writing.
- Poems.
- Character sketches.
- Short stories.
- Encyclopedic-type articles about something of interest.
Additional Resources
Writing Index
A collection of posts to keep your child writing. Includes writing prompt ideas, story starters, prewriting ideas, and writing ideas for the older and younger student.
Books
Learn to Write, Write!: A DIY Writer’s Companion
Ready to get started writing? Learn to Write: Write! is your guide to discovering and practicing the art of writing. Cover the basics, such as finding something to write and overcoming fears, to more advanced topics like revising your work and cultivating your voice and style. The book gets out of the way as great writers and their writing encourage you to apply their ideas to your own writing. Put pencil to paper and stretch your abilities as you learn by doing. Learn more.
Write Something Every Day: 366 Pencil Sharpeners for Students of Writing
One of the best pieces of advice we are given is to learn to write by writing. Here is our book full of things to write each and every day.
Learn to Write the Novel Way by Carol Thaxton
Student writes a short story utilizing Mom as mentor. Great way to learn how to edit your child’s writing. Read our entire review.
The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
The definitive guide for older students. Original version is in the public domain.
How to Write Clearly by Ruth Beechick
A favorite for older students. Read our entire review.
Printables & Notebooking Pages
Printable Paper {Featured Site}
All types of paper you can print.
Enjoy the entire series:
