Once a child is comfortable holding a pencil, he can begin copying. Rather than starting with copywork, some prefer to start with tracing. Probably your child's first writing lesson was when you … [Read more...] about Language Arts the Natural Way: Copying
Writing Helps
Language Arts the Natural Way: Narrating
I remember when we first started homeschooling our oldest. I, fortunately, didn't know any better than to just pull together those materials I thought we needed. One of these gems was the first book … [Read more...] about Language Arts the Natural Way: Narrating
Language Arts the Natural Way: Reading
Most great writers are great readers. That makes sense if you consider that, by reading, an authors' words and the way they are used are input, and "copied" when we write -- albeit with our own words … [Read more...] about Language Arts the Natural Way: Reading
Language Arts the Natural Way: Introduction
Before your child reaches school age, does he know how to talk? How did he learn? Did you pull out the flashcards, go over grammar, show him diagrams of how to form sounds with his mouth, use neat … [Read more...] about Language Arts the Natural Way: Introduction
14 Forms of Writing for the Older Student: News Story
There are several benefits of learning to write a news story: You learn to be concise. You learn to keep your opinion out of the way. You learn to look for answers. It keeps you … [Read more...] about 14 Forms of Writing for the Older Student: News Story
10 Ways to Become a Better Editor
So you have your children writing every day. Great! Now, of course, you need to become their editor. Here is where some find a challenge in the natural approach to language arts. What if I … [Read more...] about 10 Ways to Become a Better Editor
14 Forms of Writing for the Older Student: Book Review
There are several reasons to have students write a review of a book they have read: To interact with the book and glean more from the read. To practice thinking critically before arriving at … [Read more...] about 14 Forms of Writing for the Older Student: Book Review
14 Forms of Writing for the Older Student: Character Sketch
There are several reasons to have students write character sketches: To summarize or narrate a book read. As a prewriting exercise before writing a work of fiction or a biography. To understand … [Read more...] about 14 Forms of Writing for the Older Student: Character Sketch
4 Levels of Creativity in Writing
You don't have to plan "creative writing" lessons. Just set the stage for writing lessons, plain ones. If creativity comes along, nurture it, but don't worry if it doesn't seem to be here … [Read more...] about 4 Levels of Creativity in Writing
5 Traits of a Good Writer
We spend hundreds of dollars looking for the "perfect" curriculum that will turn our children into good writers. We try everything -- the great classical writing program, the seminar experience … [Read more...] about 5 Traits of a Good Writer
