What should I see in my ds9 copywork before I move on to my next step: dictation?...

[wide eyes & laughter]

First, a little background: Ds9 was resistant to writing. He could do it, but it's not my style to force. I tried journaling with him; that flopped. Then, after hearing on these boards about copywork, lightbulb moment. It's been going quite well using various selections. His confidence is up along with ability. So, I think we are close to being ready for the next step.

I am thinking it could be dictation but am definitely open to ideas, suggestions. Also, opinions as to whether variety is important for dictation or what would be a good tool for that? I'm clueless :D

Please ask me questions or, if you have enough info, direct me into possibilities. Many thanks!

[OhElizabeth]

After he does a section as copywork, the next day have him write it from dictation. When that gets easy, you can go to "studied" dictation and finally just to dictation. So it's not cold-turkey over to dictation. Start with little amounts and transition him over.

[Colleen in NS]

First, a little background: Ds9 was resistant to writing. He could do it, but it's not my style to force. I tried journaling with him; that flopped. Then, after hearing on these boards about copywork, lightbulb moment. It's been going quite well using various selections. His confidence is up along with ability. So, I think we are close to being ready for the next step.

I am thinking it could be dictation but am definitely open to ideas, suggestions. Also, opinions as to whether variety is important for dictation or what would be a good tool for that? I'm clueless :D

Please ask me questions or, if you have enough info, direct me into possibilities. Many thanks!

Does he form his letters properly? Are the words properly spaced (a pencil-width in between words)? Is he forming punctuation properly? Does he understand where to put periods, question marks, exclamation points (in the space right after the last letter of the sentence)? Does he understand that when you read a sentence, and you have a brief pause, there is a comma in the pause? If he's confident with this stuff, he might be ready to try dictation.

For dictation variety: you can use any great literature books that he is reading, or his science or history books. Just make sure that what you dictate to him has what he already knows and needs to practice (like the punctuation. If he hasn't copied or studied quotation marks yet, don't dictate sentences with that in it).

If you want some really great info. on how to teach writing, get a copy of the Writing Without Fear CD by Susan Wise Bauer from Peace Hill Press. And reserve a copy of her upcoming book, Writing With Ease.

[wide eyes & laughter]

nt

[OhElizabeth]

Don't be afraid to jump into dictation. Just start off with small amounts. Dictation is not a TEST! In your dictation time you are going to explain everything: spelling, punctuation, everything. It's guided writing, working together through the process. You're going to read the whole sentence, then go back and read a couple words, a phrase, or even just one word, whatever he can handle. Talk him through the whole thing. Can he spell that word? Cool. It's the start of the sentence, did he remember to capitalize? Just take your time and work through it. Doing it as copywork one day and dictation the next leaves him with a visual picture of what he's going for. A 9 yo CAN do dictation, definitely. Just start him slowly and talk him through it. It's NOT A TEST! :)

[Jennefer@SSA]

this is a great question and I am so glad you posted. I would not have thought to ask this yet but I have learned a lot from the responses already.

Oh...and I have to get the Writing without Fear CD!!! I have now heard it mentioned at least 20 times!!

[wide eyes & laughter]

so helpful to me. I was looking for a next step, feelin' in my gut we were ready for *something*.... Anyway, we will be stepping into dictation. I like the idea of alternating copywork & dictation every other day. Yeah!

[Friederike in Persia]

and not making dictation like a test (as you might remember it from your own school days, I certainly do:eek:) has us helped heaps. The dc actually enjoy it.;)

[Lorna]

Don't be afraid to jump into dictation. Just start off with small amounts. Dictation is not a TEST! In your dictation time you are going to explain everything: spelling, punctuation, everything. It's guided writing, working together through the process. You're going to read the whole sentence, then go back and read a couple words, a phrase, or even just one word, whatever he can handle. Talk him through the whole thing. Can he spell that word? Cool. It's the start of the sentence, did he remember to capitalize? Just take your time and work through it. Doing it as copywork one day and dictation the next leaves him with a visual picture of what he's going for. A 9 yo CAN do dictation, definitely. Just start him slowly and talk him through it. It's NOT A TEST! :)

This is such a great post :D