WINNEMUCCA - How do you become a better writer? How does your child become more proficient with pencil and paper or word processor and fingertips? Practice, of course. And more practice. In addition to taking the time and eliciting the effort, helpful feedback is a critical component of improving writing. Struggles with feedback include how much, when and what type.
The first thing you will need to do is reflect upon your own writing. How often do you write letters, notes, articles or outlines for research or presentations? When you write, what type of feedback most invigorates you and pushes you to unimaginable limits? How is your grammar and spelling? When you are not sure of a structure or spelling, what tools do you use to remedy the situation? As an excellent model of skillful, expert and perhaps even gifted writing, you will want to demonstrate these talents so that your children, in turn, can emulate you!
The Reading Teacher magazine and Maria Miller at Sonoma use a storyboard technique for young writers. Students draw three sketches as an outline for their story: the beginning, the middle and the end. Next to each illustration the student writes the action of the narrative. The drawings keep the story focused and the ideas flowing. This would work with older students as well since many can visualize their story but they grapple with getting the entire piece organized. It is easy to wander in a story as focus dims. For example, the famous "Summer Vacation" essay. Was it the annoying drive, the irritating brother and the magnificent glimmering beach that stands out in memory? Pick one, only one, and stay with that topic. The single drawback of this technique is kids who want perfect illustrations and thus forget to write.
Another idea for creating a narrative is taking lined paper and folding it in to six equal pieces (half lengthwise and then thirds). Unfold and on the top left rectangle begin the story. Moving down the page vertically add the middle of the story and in the last section tie the ideas together to end, often with a lesson or moral. Now talk through the paper with your child, jotting notes in each of the remaining rectangles. How could the opening be stronger? Is it a grabber or a "napper?" How are the spelling, grammar and handwriting - legibility is essential! Are there writing techniques that could elevate the power of the tale like a simile or hyperbole? Is the end clear, still on the topic and enlightening?
Many parents worry about their own spelling when it comes to assisting their children. They say, "I cannot spell and neither can my little dumpling." I am quite sure that spelling is not an inherited characteristic but rather a habit, one that can be resolved with practice, patience, a dictionary and a writing guide.
With specific input for editing and revision your child transfers to the keyboard. Remind your child that adding crucial details during this process is what good writers do. I advise that you turn off all auto-correct features so that misspellings are not highlighted or errors automatically corrected. I am witnessing students who think they can spell like a breeze (becuz or reson) since they never see it as a mistake. Sheryl Gillen, computer instructor at French Ford, shares that auto-correct is a wonderful tool that can transform into a crutch for spelling disaster. And even worse when a word is always typed wrong but corrected (like i instead of I) eventually students do not even recognize their error.
To further add pizzazz select a noun such as beach and then add an adjective and a verb that either start with B or rhyme with beach: the bubbling beach blazed or the bleached beach reached ... While it is never wise to overuse any technique like this one thus turning a touching tale into a terrifying tongue twister, it is fun to scatter clever word choices throughout the work.
Transitions are also important as the writer moves from paragraph to paragraph. How frequently I read: first, next, then or firstly, secondly, thirdly, usually followed by fourthly, fifthly, finally and lastly! Begin the story with a grabber, maybe a question. Check that the first sentence of paragraph two begins with excitement. Verify that the final paragraph packs a punch. You will be so impressed with your child's knowledge and fascinating opinions. Next month we'll move to informative and persuasive writing. You'll love it!
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