What should dictation look like for a 4th grader (reluctant writer)?

[iammommy]

What should dictation look like for a 4th grader who is a reluctant writer? What is the process like?

TIA! Nan

[southmetromom]

Dear Nan -

I will be interested to see the replies.

My dd 10 is a reluctant writer. I figured out about a year and a half ago that his inability to spell was making writing a terrifying thing. So we have been using AAS and he is just finishing Level 3 (which includes the baby beginning of writing -- Writing Station, she calls it).

We do dictation. Here is what works for us. I let him pick a paragraph from his favorite DK Eyewitness book (e.g. WWI). The first day he chooses and copies it. (I probably got this method from someone on this board!)

The next day I read it to him and he takes dictation. (Sometimes it takes a day or two, if it is more than a sentence or two).

When we started doing this last fall, it was a supreme effort for him. Now, he whips through this and it seems effortless. I need to challenge him with longer dictations -- and I think we'll start a writing program next fall.

HTH,

Sandy

[Wendy in ME]

I love the idea of letting him choose the passage. Maybe I will try this out once a week with my 10yo ds who also happens to have a favorite WWII book. Thanks for sharing.

[iammommy]

What a great idea! When you read dictation to him, do you read it sentence by sentence, word by word, pausing as he writes it down, or do you read the paragraph once and he writes it down to the best of his recollection? I really like your idea of having him pick the paragraph! Thanks!

Nan

[arcara]

When I dictate to my 3rd grader, I read 2 sentences at a time, 2-3 times, and then I have her repeat it to me before she begins writing. I sit next to her the whole time to help with anything.

[southmetromom]

What a great idea! When you read dictation to him, do you read it sentence by sentence, word by word, pausing as he writes it down, or do you read the paragraph once and he writes it down to the best of his recollection? I really like your idea of having him pick the paragraph! Thanks!

Nan

I repeat as much as he needs. Sometimes I need to repeat a sentence at a time. Sometimes he can recall the whole paragraph.

After he has completed the dictation, I have him read it out loud to me. I ask him where the sentences begin and end, if he doesn't have the punctuation correctly. Then I may read it to him, with pauses, to help him remember commas. I may just remind him, "This was a direct quote. Where would you put the quotation marks?"

Glad this was helpful. I have received so much from these boards!

Sandy

[southmetromom]

I love the idea of letting him choose the passage. Maybe I will try this out once a week with my 10yo ds who also happens to have a favorite WWII book. Thanks for sharing.


I let him choose the paragraph when I have 'nothing' else for him to do. He always gets so absorbed in the books, it can take a verrrrrrry long time! LOL

Sandy