concerned about 2nd graders writing

[macilustr8]

I have a son who is in second grade and he cannot write a sentence on his own without help. He can copy well and he does fairly well with simple dictation, but ask him to write about something on his own and he literally melts down! He has trouble with spelling too, so that is part of it.

I really wouldn't care, but due to financial strain, I may have to go back to work and he will have to go to public school where I know in third grade they will expect him to be able to write sentences, maybe even paragraphs on his own. Needless to say, I am a bit stressed and do not know where to begin to get him to write on his own. Any one have any simple ways to get a child who hates to write, writing on his own? I have been trying prompts but he just says he doesn't know what to say. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

[8FillTheHeart]

but if you are concerned that he'll need to be able to do it for school in 3rd, I would practice it as a game for a while (so he doesn't even know that you are doing school!)

Have you ever played the game where you tell a story "round robin" style? One person starts the story and then the next person adds a sentence and then the other person tells the next, etc until you finish the story.

Perhaps you could spend a few days doing that orally.....just playing around and making up very silly stories. Then after a week or 2, do the same thing, but you write down the stories as you both create your sentences (maybe you could have him illustrate the stories)

Then VERY gradually transition to your giving the first sentence and letting him write down the second, etc, etc

I wouldn't worry about the spelling or how great the sentences are.....all the other 2nd graders work will have mistakes, too. :)

[Alana in Canada]

One of the great things about SWR is that the spelling lists are organized in such a way that the kids find it easy to make up sentences. If he has trouble spelling, this might kill two birds with one stone.

It is an intimidating program and the way it's written up, not intuitive to use: but it in practice it's quite easy. Take a look at Oh elizabeth's quick and dirty guide: I don't know where it is, though, or I'd link. Maybe someone else can help?

If you don't want to go that route...try the idea behind it, that is, give him two words like "boy" and "alone" and have him write a sentence using those words. Start easy and work up to more.

(If you can find an old copy of the Wise guide, you'll have all your words for you. It contains the spelling list for SWR. Have the kids write the words in two columns (10 in each) reading "across" gives the sentence prompts.)

Good luck.

[EvergreenEclecticAcademy]

Take a look at Oh elizabeth's quick and dirty guide: I don't know where it is, though, or I'd link. Maybe someone else can help?

Here's the link:

Q&D Guide to SWR (http://www.lulu.com/content/364293)

HTH!

[Herding Cats in NC]

Does your library have the book Games for Writing by Peggy Kaye? Maybe you could use some of these ideas to help get him writing more. Also, Evan-Moor has a book called Write a Super Sentence (by Joy Evans) which basically gives a sentence format and then has the child brainstorm words to complete the sentence. Here's a link to an example page at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1557996067/ref=sib_dp_pt/104-4648476-4639909#reader-link
Maybe something like this would give him the practice he needs to build his confidence.

[Novafan]

My 2nd grade son is exactly the same. I'm constantly trying to come up with a positive way to encourage him to write, but he believes that he "can't" write. :( He can though! I've caught him doing it. His handwriting is beautiful (he writes in cursive) and he is very creative. He is weak in spelling, however, and I think that is the part that intimidates him. I've told him that it's okay to misspell a word and that we can figure out how to correctly spell the word after he gets it down on paper, but not getting it right the first time stresses him out.

One of the few ways I can get him to write is through letter writing. He will not write much, but it's better than nothing. My boys get a kick out of sealing up their letters, putting a stamp on the envelope and running down our driveway to the mailbox to put the flag up. Perhaps our boys could be "penpals" and could write to each other?

Thanks to the poster who suggested Games for Writing. My library has it and I just put it on reserve to pick up next week.



I want writing to be fun for my son. Let me know if you have any successes.


I have a son who is in second grade and he cannot write a sentence on his own without help. He can copy well and he does fairly well with simple dictation, but ask him to write about something on his own and he literally melts down! He has trouble with spelling too, so that is part of it.

I really wouldn't care, but due to financial strain, I may have to go back to work and he will have to go to public school where I know in third grade they will expect him to be able to write sentences, maybe even paragraphs on his own. Needless to say, I am a bit stressed and do not know where to begin to get him to write on his own. Any one have any simple ways to get a child who hates to write, writing on his own? I have been trying prompts but he just says he doesn't know what to say. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!