DIY Homeschooler

When it comes to writing, many of Dr. Ruth Beechick’s thoughts are summarized in her book, How to Write Clearly: The Meaning Approach.

There seems to be two main concerns among homeschool moms (besides the ever-present “how do I get all of this done”) — math and writing. Perhaps our anxiety in these two areas stems from subtle doubts about our own math and writing abilities. Our fears tend to drive us deep into the curriculum maze — sampling nearly everything, liking nothing, and going deeper in debt!

What if writing, in particular, was actually very simple? What if the key was simply to learn to write by writing? We learn to walk by walking. We learn to talk by talking. And we learn to read by reading.

Learning to Write the Natural Way

Those familiar with Dr. Ruth Beechick will be familiar with the natural method of learning to write.

A long history of research has shown that grammar is not the route to good writing. The reverse order is more realistic: students should first learn to write acceptably and then study grammar. They can understand it then, and it will provide the vocabulary needed for reading and for discussing grammar and writing. That can begin in the teen years. Before that, students learn a lot of grammar, anyway, but by the meaning approach used in this book. They, of course, must learn the mechanics of punctuation, capitalization, and spelling as they write throughout the elementary school years.

There is quite a punch packed in that one paragraph. To numerate:

1. First have your students learn to write — by writing. Have them write something every day.
2. Make sure they learn the mechanics of writing in their younger years — punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. This can easily be accomplished if they are required to write something every day. That be copywork, dictation, or an original work.
3. As the students learn to write, they will be learning grammar.
4. Once they have learned to write, they will be prepared to discuss writing. At that point, students can learn the correct terms and vocabulary for what they have already been using.

This is really the way we learn to do most things. No one teaches us to stand on our two feet, balance, put one foot forward, etc. We learn to walk. Then we learn that what we have done is to stand, balance, etc.

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.

How to Write Clearly Breakdown

Of course there is more to writing than grammar — or there is if the writer is a good writer! How to Write Clearly starts with the message: finding a topic, getting organized, outlining, etc.

Then we begin writing. We learn how to:

• Begin a work.
• Use abstract and concrete terms.
• Define words for the reader.

With the purpose and plan clearly in mind, we move on to sentences:

• What constitutes a sentence.
• Linking sentences.
• Comma usage.
• Active and passive voice.
• Using rhythm and sound.
• Correcting “sick” sentences — those that fell apart in the writing and no longer convey the meaning we intended.

From sentence construction, we did deeper by focusing on the words we use:

• Tone.
• Word pictures.
• Problem words (long words, redundant words, and pronouns that have lost their antecedent).
• Correct usage.

Obviously, the focus in our writing is on the reader!

Finally, there is a very interesting section on how English came to us.

As a family that is firmly in the natural writing camp, there are two books that are required reading when it comes to language arts in the upper levels. One is The Elements of Style. The other is How to Write Clearly.

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Additional Resources

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.

Beechick Basics
Learn more about the natural approach!

Writing Index
A variety of writing helps based on the natural writing method.