Writing program for a boy who loves to write

[momofkhm]

Maybe it's just because he's young, but at 7 he loves to write. He claims to write books while waiting. He leaves for church with dh when dh is on the sound board. So he gets there at almost 8 and church doesn't start until 9:45. He writes books - they are about 1-2 pages long and they are well thought out. When I read them I have a hard time not correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. I do write in words that he forgot to write.

We're using R&S for grammar. I know there is instruction in there. He'll be 3rd grade next fall. Does he need something else? We did sign up for the Writeshop Primary pilot program but didn't keep up with it b/c for him it was too simple. (Which is not to say it's to young for 2nd graders, just for him it was too easy.)

Thanks!

[Colleen in NS]

Maybe it's just because he's young, but at 7 he loves to write. He claims to write books while waiting. He leaves for church with dh when dh is on the sound board. So he gets there at almost 8 and church doesn't start until 9:45. He writes books - they are about 1-2 pages long and they are well thought out. When I read them I have a hard time not correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. I do write in words that he forgot to write.

We're using R&S for grammar. I know there is instruction in there. He'll be 3rd grade next fall. Does he need something else? We did sign up for the Writeshop Primary pilot program but didn't keep up with it b/c for him it was too simple. (Which is not to say it's to young for 2nd graders, just for him it was too easy.)

Thanks!

Wow! This is great to hear about a boy who loves to write!

Will you be using the writing lessons in R&S 3? If so, then if it was me, all I'd add to his formal schoolwork would be copywork or dictation (depending on which he's ready for), and narrations (with you writing, or him writing if he's ready to do that, or him writing one sentence then you complete the rest of it) of his reading in other subjects like literature, history, and science.

As for the books he writes on his "own" time for fun, I'd probably just leave those alone - not correct them, and let him have fun with them. I imagine those would improve as his other skills in copywork/dictation and narration improve.

BTW, this IS what I do - use R&S for grammar and writing, and those other skills I mentioned. Ds is 10, and, though he does not love to write, his skills are improving and he sees that. Occasionally, he will go off and write his own story or poem, too (which does my mother-heart good! :)). And he's getting pretty good with organizing his thoughts to put down on paper.

[Carol in Cal.]

and purchase Writer's Jungle and start to digest it and use it, one element at a time. Of the elements, I would start with copywork. There is no better writing program for a young, creative writer than WJ.

I would also ask him to tell you about his history reading and write down what he says, and encourage him to write or fill in short science experiment reports. It is important to start him on non-fiction writing, at least occasionally.