Teach Writing Without Handwriting
Ideas for Teaching Writing with No Penmanship Needed
Aug 27, 2007 Janienne Jennrich
Why do many kids think they dislike writing? Often they complain about or are stalled by other language arts skills, such as penmanship, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and pencil use, which get lumped in with teaching fiction, non-fiction, and creative writing.
Certainly, in the long run, one needs to learn the skills in these areas too (although penmanship can be largely avoided these days by using the computer), but fiction, non-fiction, or creative writing can be taught in many ways that do not use these skills at all. Here are some ideas for teaching writing without handwriting:
Making Up Stories Without Handwriting Builds Writing Skills
- Playing with Barbies, Beanie Babies, Lego people, etc. might seem mindless at times, but there are many skills that go into thinking up names and personalities for the characters, where the story will take place, and what will happen.
- Putting on original skits encourages creative thinking in a fun way. Skits can be based on real or fictional characters, settings, and situations.
- Dictating stories to an adult takes much of the frustration out of writing for many kids. With dictation, there is no handwriting to hurt little hands or slow down the creative thinking process. Having no "correcting" of spelling or poor penmanship frees up the right side of the brain to think great thoughts. Grammar corrections, vocabulary, etc. are then learned as separate skills on another project, another time.
Skills learned:
Character, plot and dialog development, thinking up settings, and oral presentation are learned in these "no-pencil" activities. These skills are useful later when writing down short stories, plays, novels, reports, and poetry.
Teach Language Arts by Making Books
- Making sticker stories (using stickers to create a scene on paper) is amusing for little folk. If they want to add some words to the story, all the better! Once completed, ask the child tell the story aloud.
- Giving children homemade blank books for fun (by folding paper in half and stapling, for instance) encourages creative expression whether they write, draw or use scrapbooking materials.
- Giving a private diary or journal as a gift encourages no-stress writing. Make sure they are given with no strings attached and the student can use them as they wish.
Skills learned:
Plot, character, setting and dialog development. Diaries and blank books encourage free expression used in all types of creative writing, fiction, and poetry.
Using the Computer and No Penmanship for Writing with Children
- Spell-checking on computer programs makes learning to spell easy and painless. Children especially love to email friends.
- Typing is easier and more fun than handwriting for many children. There is also fun kids writing and story-making software available.
Skills learned:
Spelling, email etiquette, computer skills and writing friendly letters.
Reading, Reading, Reading - Enhance Written Word Skills
- Reading excellent books makes all language arts skills come more naturally. Children learn to recognize well-worded sentences, correct grammar, and good spelling. Developing a love of books at an early age creates an atmosphere of enjoying the written word.
- Reading aloud (even to older students) creates natural opportunities for an adult to point out interesting passages in a book, character traits, and more. When reading together, an instant little book discussion club is formed.
Skills learned:
Everything!
Looking at writing as part of a larger picture reduces the stress of learning language arts for both parent and student. Thinking of the skills that need to be taught and how they might be learned in creative ways turns writing from pain to pleasure.
Learn more at aabc_Homeschooling (a very large homeschool website).
Some good related Suite 101 articles include
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