For 4th grade, how much writing is enough?

[Shasta Mom]

For example, our daily schedule is as full as I want it to be (and perhaps a wee bit fuller than I want it to be). We're starting Writing Tails 1 in September (right now we're doing WS 3). The only other time I have my ds writing is a daily (yea right) journal that he does in the evening in his own little-boy writing style that I don't correct, and I'm considering having him write a few paragraphs on Friday. Our Mon-Thurs is full with lively latin, WT 1, R&S4, math, history and science and extra currics, so there's no time for more writing. Am I missing the point here? I'm curious how much writing other parents are having their 4th graders do.......

[OhElizabeth]

Is he writing out the sentences for R&S? With WT, he's only going to be really writing about one to two days a week (one day for copywork, outlining, and the grammar assignments, the other day for his rough draft), so I'd do your paragraphs, dictation, etc. the other days. That way he's writing something, a page or more of something, every single day. Then some writing in his grammar, a science lab write-up, latin, daily journal, etc. And when he does his final draft, you may want to type it for him, meaning he's not wearing his hand out at all. It takes time but isn't taxing writing, kwim? So yes, I'd focus on upping the quantities as he goes into 4th. My plan, like yours, is to have program writing that alternates with dictation, paragraphs, etc., resulting in some formal writing every day. Then there will be the little nibbles of writing you sneak in through other subjects (science, lit guides, etc.). Writing is a huge bugaboo with homeschoolers, so I figure get it up as high as he can tolerate.

[Kate in Arabia]

My 4th grader this year does/did the following:

Classical Writing Aesop B & Beginning Poetry A, which includes copywork one or two days and narration/imitation one day.

History, narrations two days a week.

Science, lab reports (recording experiment results and answering basic questions) one or two days a week.

Handwriting, he finished the Zaner-Bloser book for this level so now I print out copywork for him every day.

Book Journal, he was better about this at the beginning of the year, but basically a diary of the books he reads with his thoughts, quotes, pictures, whatever. I look at it but don't correct anything.

I don't know if this is "right" or average, but it was a ramp up from what he had been doing last year, so I think it is on target for him.

Kate

[Faithr]

When you say writing, do you mean, your 4th grader putting together his own sentences and thoughts or do you mean the physical act of handwriting?

For my 4th grader next year, he'll be doing Writing Tales, but he'll probably copy over spelling words every day. He'll be working math problems, filling in his Latin workbook and activity book, doing cursive practice and/or copy work every day, plus he'll have sundry occasional other things to do and he'll be doing art which involves drawing, etc.

To me that's plenty for a 4th grader. He's got lots of time to learn to write; no need to push it. I pushed my now 13 year old to do narrations every day when he was in 4th grade and he went from a kid who loved learning to a kid who dreaded reading anything because he knew he'd have to write a narration. So I overloaded him too much, too soon. It took a couple of years to win back that love of learning by easing up. Now he's 13, he writes just fine, though we are going to make it a focus for his 8th grade because I haven't really focused on it.

But as someone with the perspective of older kids, even one with dysgraphia, there really is no need to push it. However, each child has his own level so if you feel you could require more writing without difficulty or disrupting your plans, go for it. Just know it isn't necessary in the long run.

[Sue in St Pete]

For 4th grade, my ds was writing a summary paragraph (approx 5 sentences) of our history section 2x per week.

[Shasta Mom]

putting together his own thoughts (or thoughts assigned to him). Right now we're doing a writing program losely based on WS (which, incidentally, we have just started, but I'm liking it). So far, I've been able to incoporate a tiny bit of science into the writing. I'm not worried about the physical task of writing - i.e. using his hands - I think that will come. I'm also a bit worried about overloading him and making him dread assignments. For R&S next year, I guess I will have him write out sentences. We started it this year but had to drop it shortly after starting it. I REALLY want him to LIKE writing and get good at it.....

[OneRoomHomeSchool]

My 4th grader does copywork from quality books, 3 sentences minimum 3 days per week. She then does dictation, 2 sentences twice weekly.

I'll start her on written narrations this fall.