Writin’
When I talk to homeschoolers, it seems that the subject they have the most trouble with is writing. I sympathize. Even though we are a family that has some prolific writers, others are a little more stubborn about getting on board. I don’t use a writing curriculum, I just use cajoling and threats. Well, maybe there’s a bit more to it. I’ve written before about how to encourage your children to write (and as soon as I can find it I’ll post a link!), but tonight I will post a list I’ve put in a couple of my children’s notebooks to spark writing ideas for them. These were just off the top of my head one day (I’m sure I’ve probably heard others recommend some of the same things)…if I can find my head again, I’ll have to make a new list soon.
After they finish writing a paper, then I sit with them to go over it, making suggestions and corrections, which I explain. Sometimes I have to explain the same concepts over again, can you believe it?
Write a book report on each book you finish.
Write a fictional diary entry for a famous historical character.
Write a speech about a topic you feel strongly about (like the dangling participle?…learning by example).
Rewrite a psalm in your own words.
Pick a famous volcano to report on (oops).
If you were to be martyred for your faith, what would your last words be?
Write a report about a bird or animal, with illustrations.
Make up your own myth or fable.
Tell about a famous archaeological discovery.
Compare slavery in different societies: Egyptian, Greek, Roman, European, American, and African.
Write a poem inspired by the magnificence of God’s universe.
Write about having a baby at home vs. having a baby in the hospital.
What country would you like to visit and why?
Tell about your most prized possession.
What do you think courage is? Tell about someone who was courageous.
Go outside and find a beautiful view and describe it.
Tell about a time you had an argument with one of your siblings and tell how it could have turned out better.
Write about how earthquakes happen and ask Mom or Dad about the earthquake they experienced in 1989 to tell about that.
Which president do you think was best, and why?
Describe what your day would be like if we didn’t have electricity.
Write a short story with a teddy bear as the main character.
Tell about the Indians who used to live in this area.
Write your memories of someone you once knew who is no longer around.
Tell about the scariest thing that ever happened to you.
What was the life of a cowboy like?
If you had to give up one meal per day—breakfast, lunch, or dinner—which would it be and why?
What would you do with a billion dollars?
If you fell asleep and woke up 20 years later, like Rip van Winkle, what do you think the world would be like?
Write a poem about an animal.
If you could change your name, what would it be and why?
What is your favorite form of transportation?
Which Bible character to you most admire?
March 20th, 2006 at 9:02 pm
What a fantastic list! Thank You!
March 21st, 2006 at 7:58 am
I’m sure you’re familiar with the Wordsmith curriculum by Janie Cheaney. Have you tried it? I am so glad my mom used it in our homeschool. I am a professional writer today because of that curriculum.
May 28th, 2006 at 3:11 pm
[...] 1. Build fairy houses in the backyard. 2. Start a nature scrapbook. 3. Draw pictures with chalk on the sidewalks. 4. Play chalk games. 5. Make mud pies and have a tea party. 6. Have a real tea party with some friends and tell stories. 7. Play with rice. 8. Make a yummy salad and eat it. 9. Paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling. 10. Work a jigsaw puzzle. 11. Dance to your favorite music. 12. Get your bicycle out, clean it up, and get it ready for summer. 13. Practice folding a shirt. 14. Make a poster collage. 15. Make some playdough. 16. Preschool Paper Crafts 17. Mix 2 cups water with a little food coloring, add 6 cups of cornflour/cornstarch to make goop. (I hate it, but my urchins love it.) 18. Cut out and play paper dolls. 19. Watch a familiar DVD dubbed in a foreign language. 20. Make a house of cookies. 21. Volunteer to help a neighbor for free—just because. 22. String beads on dental floss to make a necklace. 23. Listen to Peter and the Wolf and act it out. 24. Make a milkshake or a smoothie. 25. Start this “childhood in a jar” project. 26. Make a lapbook. 27. Learn to sew. 28. Take one of Carmon’s writin’ suggestions. 29. Watch a Shakespeare play on video. [...]