To Speak or Not to Speak...That is the Question

I am an introvert.

Perhaps this is why I write. I much prefer to write my thoughts than to speak them.    

The tragic irony is that writers must, in fact, be strong speakers too. There’s no getting around it. Here’s why.

1.   

  1. As a writer, we know our characters intimately – in our mind. This is often very different from the way their words translate out loud. Dialogue that feels real and clever on paper might (and often do) sound trite and choppy when spoken. A writer needs to let their characters breathe…and speak.

2.      2. When we write words on paper, our proofreading can be compromised by moving too rapidly over sentences and missing grammar and spelling errors. Reading our work out loud, however, forces the brain to slow down and allows us to proofread with our ears. Often, we will hear an error that we don’t see.

3.      3. Finally, as further proof that no good deed goes unpunished, if you are lucky enough to get your work published, the world will reward you with a book reading. Yes, you will slave away in sheltered seclusion putting your words on paper and agonizing over every detail only to be rewarded with a crowded room of avid readers waiting for you to stand front and center in front of a microphone and read your work!

So, the moral of this story is to couple reading with writing from a young age, even if they find it uncomfortable at first. When your child writes a story and asks you to read it, ask them to read it to you first. As part of their proofreading of academic papers, have them read it out loud.

If you face resistance, make it fun. Read the story in a British accent or in a low, deep voice. Play with the words and let them take on a life of their own. Writing was meant to be shared…and spoken. Help your child bridge this gap between the written word and the spoken word.

It is naïve to think that what we write will only be read. It will also be spoken, so as painful as it may be for introverted writers like myself, we need to resign ourselves to public speaking as well.

How do your kids feel about reading out loud and sharing their written work?

Paragraphs, Reports, and Papers...Oh My!

Do you know the difference between a report and a paper? The difference between a descriptive and narrative piece of writing? 

Many – if not most – of my middle and high school students don’t have a clear understanding of the differences between different types of writing, especially reports and papers. But just like words are the building blocks of sentences which are the building blocks of paragraphs, reports are the building blocks of papers.

In elementary school, children learn to form strong paragraphs on a single main idea. They write what they know about a topic and tell about it. They are reporting information that they learn in books and from their teachers. As they become stronger in their paragraph skills, students lengthen their work and begin to write reports. These reports might be about the life of George Washington or about the inventions of Thomas Jefferson.

But as a student moves into middle school, they should begin writing with greater purpose. They will begin to write papers with the intent to prove something. In this case, the paper on George Washington will prove that he left a powerful legacy. The research will go deeper than his birthdate and positions held in government. The paper will involve what Washington did as well as how these actions have impacted the world or country today. A paper requires a student to draw conclusions and connections between events and times.

By the time a student reaches high school, they should be able to apply the principles of paper writing to a variety of subjects from history and literature to economics or art history. Virtually every course in high school should involve an academic paper as part of the curriculum. 

A good guideline for teaching academic writing by grade level:

Grades 1-2:      Sentence Writing – including proper structure, punctuation, and detail.

Move into two sentences on a specific topic

Grades 3-4:     Paragraph Writing – 5-8 sentences on a central main idea using a topic

sentence and transitions. Move into purposeful writing such as expository, persuasive, narrative, and descriptive paragraphs as well as reports of up to 5 paragraphs.

Grades 5-8       5 Paragraph Papers focused on a provable thesis including both research and literary analysis.

                        Essay Writing of 5 Paragraphs in purposeful formats of narrative, persuasive, and descriptive

Grades 9-11    Paper Writing of 5 pages or more on a variety of topics being studied.

Grade 11-12    Rhetorical analysis writing to efficiently evaluate speeches and primary source material

What I've Learned from a Decade Teaching Online

Ten years ago, I began an online writing school when a homeschool parent asked if I would put my face-to-face workshop online. Sure. Why not?

Well, obviously it wasn't that easy. There was a proper platform to find. There were students to acquire. There were lessons to plan and HTML to conquer. But it all got done and I remember the first day a student registered for class.

I was ecstatic!

I also remember the first time a parent found a typo in my assignment.

I was mortified.

There have been ups and downs, slow sessions and busier than ever sessions. But no matter what, teaching online has been more rewarding than I ever thought possible.  I love it.

In this time of COVID-19 and the sudden onslaught of distance learning, I sympathize with teachers who are struggling with transitioning online. So, I thought I'd share what I've learned along my journey:

1. Find a way to bond with your students.

Probably the most important thing is to find a way to build a relationship with your students. I like to read student introductions and understand what makes them tick. I learn their interests and find commonalities with them. When they write about something I am really interested in, I let them know. When I'm impressed with a service project they write about recently completing, I let them know and I share service I've found rewarding. Students will work harder for a teacher that they like and value.

I also reach out to my students and ask how they are doing when I haven't seen them online, and I welcome them back when they return for a new session after a few months of absence. The best thing is when they reach out to me too! When a student logs in and asks how my day is or wishes me a Happy Mother's Day, it makes me warm and fuzzy inside. It IS possible to form relationships and bonds online...and it can be incredibly rewarding.


2. You cannot teach in a vacuum. 

Learning happens at that pivotal intersection of making a mistake and getting feedback from the instructor. This means that it is essential to provide comprehensive and meaningful feedback to every student on every assignment. And don't just regurgitate a rule, but provide tips and ways for a student to remember the rule. And then ask the student if it makes sense to them. Invite the student to tell you if they are still confused. You may need to go back to the drawing board until the lightbulb shines, but this added time will help develop that bond as the student finds success.


3. Develop assignments that require critical thinking. 

Not only are these assignments important for growth and development, but your student will enjoy them more too. Think out of the box and make the learning fun. Be creative.


4. Encourage. Encourage. Encourage.

Begin every encounter with a student by saying something positive. Compliment the effort, the creativity, the timely submission...no matter what, say something positive to get the ball rolling. Then be honest and factual in your criticism of the work as needed. Don't sugar coat the constructive criticism, but note the positive before getting to the feedback. Students appreciate when you are careful with your words and their feelings.


5. Don't assume the worst.

Students make mistakes. They forget due dates. They misunderstand directions. It's not always intentional. Ask what's happening at home before jumping to conclusions. This will go a long way toward forming those important bonds. Online learning is often sought for its flexibility, so try to understand what the student or family needs and be flexible. You can still take off points if that is your policy, but keep the lines of communication open. After all the end goal is for the student to learn.


6. Encourage independence.

Invite students to reach out to you directly when they have a question or a problem. Parents can and should be kept in the loop, but when a student interacts directly with their instructor, their confidence will grow and they will get the help they need.


7. Admit when you are wrong.

You're only human. You will make a mistake. And they will catch it. Nothing gives a 13 year old boy more satisfaction than letting you know you spelled something wrong or programmed the quiz wrong so that it doesn't open. Thank him. After all, he was online and paying attention! It's a win. And being fallible makes you human...and relatable. There's that bond again.

My first desk...where it all started!

Teaching online presents many unique challenges from designing creative assignments to learning to program on a new platform. But the benefits far outweigh the challenges. I, for one, believe online learning to be the way of the future and am so grateful for the wonderfully enthusiastic and generous students and families I have met from around the world.

My life wouldn't be the same without them.

They're called classics for a reason...

By now, in 2020, there are a few things about reading that we all know to be true:

1. Reading to our babies is important for brain development.
2. Reading aloud to toddlers fosters language development.
3. Reading every day builds vocabulary in children.
4. Good readers make better writers.

By now we've also heard the mantra that it doesn't matter what they read as long as they are reading.

I agree...but only to a certain extent. While I believe that there is value to fan fiction series and comic books for story arcs and imagination building, I also know that there is no replacement for reading classic literature in our children's personal libraries.

Classic literature is, after all, well...classic! It has been judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality. Generations of people haven't read these books and told their offspring not to waste their time. Professors haven't taught them once and found them of little value to their pupils. On the contrary, the classics are the epitome of literature greatness with lasting artistic merit passed down from grandparents and educators. Now, that is not something you get from Captain Underpants or Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

So, sure, let them read for pleasure and breeze through the Dork Diaries or The Fault in Our Stars for fun. But don't make the mistake of thinking that classic literature is too difficult or that because it might take them longer to read - or require more concentration - that it's not worth the trouble. When children finish a classic novel, they have been changed. Their vocabulary will change. Their world view will grow and their empathic voice will develop.

Still not convinced? Here are my top 10 reasons that every child should be reading the classics:

1. It's a challenge.

To move forward in any endeavor, we challenge ourselves. To become better at tennis, we seek a tougher opponent. To become a better speller, we seek out harder, foreign words. Reading is no different. To improve your reading, you must also challenge yourself.

2. It will improve syntax and grammar. 

When we read words formatted in correct sequence and in proper diction, it becomes embedded in our brains. In todays world of accepted "common usage" and words being added to the dictionary because they are so frequently used or even grammar rules reflecting common errors that are now acceptable, classic literature is the one last foothold on proper syntax and grammar. It will never give in to our common usage accommodations.

3. It will improve concentration.

Yes, it's true. Classic literature is not always easy. You can't always fly through a book in a week or read it in a crowded airport with lots of background noise. In the beginning, you may need to focus and find yourself re-reading passages of detail and description. But the more you read good literature, the more your brain will concentrate willingly. Someone once told me the greatest analogy: Reading a classic novel is like eating a plateful of vegetables for your brain.

4. It will improve vocabulary.

No doubt about it.

5. It will showcase literary devices and creative language techniques.

Classic literature is replete with metaphor, irony, parallelism, dialect, exposition, and symbolism...it is chock full of opportunities for analysis and deconstruction. And it's also just plain entertaining!

6. It teaches universal lessons.

The morals, themes, and lessons of classic literature are timeless. The human traits personified in classic literature are the same from the dawn of time.  And these lessons are unapologetically laid out for the eager reader without the contrivance of what's cool or timely, they just are.

7. It improves comprehension skills.

And no, I don't mean those horrid questions my English teacher used to ask like what color dress a character was wearing in chapter 9. Classic literature will improve the depth of comprehension a child can achieve to the extent that they can take what they know about a character or place and make inferences and draw logical and meaningful conclusions. This is why the classics can be read over and over many times and each time a new depth of comprehension is reached.

8. It provides historical context.

Classic literature often provides the backdrop of a different time in history whether it was the Renaissance or the Civil Rights Movement. It puts a story into the history to help us better understand and experience the period.

9. It will enhance enjoyment of other forms of art (and improve conversation!)

Many literary allusions and references exist in movies, television shows, and in general conversation. These references are going right over the heads of non-classic readers. In other words, you will become an overall more educated human.

10. It will allow you to reflect on your own experiences.

Classic literature has the unique ability to bring us face to face with our own humanity - the good, the bad, and the ugly. It can help us put our own priorities in order and recognize the depth of our own suffering or privilege.


There are great classic novels for every age group and it's never too early to expose your child to the gift of great literature!

Keep the Kids Engaged - Creatively!

During these long days of social distancing, it is important to find creative and out-of-the-box ways to keep students of all ages engaged in writing activities.

Here are a few of our favorites for elementary, middle, and high school students...in fact, the whole family can play!

Elementary

Rhyme Race (for 2 or more players):  

Put a word (any word, look around the room and pick one!) at the top of a page. Set a timer for 90 seconds and list all the possible rhymes you can think of. The person with the greatest number of unique rhymes wins! For more fun, play best out of 10.

Paragraph Palooza: 

Assign points for all the elements of a paragraph and challenge your student to write a paragraph using as many elements as possible to score big! For a greater challenge, make the elements your student struggles with worth more points to encourage their use. Score the paragraph and celebrate each increase in points.

Suggested points: capital letters (1), end punctuation (2), adjectives (3), examples (2), closing sentence (2), complete sentences (1)...add your own!

Paragraph Pals:

Use a large poster board and cut out the shape of a paper doll person. Using construction paper, draw and cut out a simple dress pants/shorts. These should be a bit bigger than the initial body. On the clothing cut outs, draw horizontal lines about 3/4 of an inch apart.

On a separate piece of paper, have your child write an autobiography of 8-10 sentences about themselves. Proofread with them and then have them copy their autobiography neatly on the clothing.

Decorate the "pal" with yarn for hair, markers for shoes and jewelry etc. Glue on the clothes. For more fun, make pals for the whole family!


Middle School


Rhyme Race (Advanced): 

Follow the guidelines from above for the Rhyme Race, but write three words across the top and play the game 3 times. At the top of the first column write A, at the top of the second column write B, and at the top of the third column write C.

Find as many rhymes as possible for column A in 90 seconds. Compare rhymes among all players and cross out duplicate rhymes. Do the same for column B and C. Then choose an end rhyme pattern (AABB, ABAB, ABCB, ABBA) and write a 2 stanza quatrain poem using only the rhymes left on your sheet of paper.

Who, What, Where?:

Have your student write 5 characters on a slip of paper and crumple it up. Toss it into a bowl/cup labelled Who? Do the same for 5 problems and 5 places. Put them in bowls/cups properly labelled. Select one from each bowl and write a short tale using the elements.

For family fun, have everyone write 3-5 Who? cards etc...choose one set for the whole group to write about individually. Read your new stories out loud!

Stifled Sentences:

Challenge your student to grow their vocabulary and use new words. Have them write a sentence without a particular letter of the alphabet. Let them choose a topic or provide one for them. "Write a sentence about the beach without the letter e." Encourage the use of a thesaurus if need be to expose them to new words.


High School


Mirrored Poems:

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery - and the best way to learn!

Research famous poets and print an example of their work. Analyze the poem and break it down. Is there a rhyme scheme? Is there a consistent syllable pattern? Is there a pattern for the number of lines per stanza or line length?

Once the analysis is complete, mirror the poem form and write your own.

Some good poets to use include Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, and Emily Dickinson....but use any great poems your student likes!

Stately Sentences:

William Faulkner holds the record for the longest sentence in literature with a 1288 word sentence in his novel Absalom, Absalom!

Test your knowledge of grammar and punctuation to write the longest sentence you can. Use colons, semi-colons, dashes, and properly placed periods to write a lengthy masterpiece. For friendly competition, challenge mom or dad or a sibling to see who can write the longest sentence.

Letter Omission: 

Choose a topic like the beach, the mountains, or another place to write a descriptive paragraph. Write a paragraph of 8-10 sentences that does not use the letter a.

Write the same paragraph (same topic and ideas) without using the letter e this time. (You can use a now.)

Repeat with all of the vowels until you have 5 paragraphs. Read them out loud and see if you notice a change in the tone of the writing depending on which letter was left out. Does one paragraph sound more harsh or more tender? Compare.

5 Ways to Build Confidence in Young Writers

Why is it so important to find the right fit for a writing teacher?

Because learning to write is different from all other academic disciplines.

There isn't one right or wrong answer as there is in math. There isn't a one size fits all guide to style. It is highly subjective. And most importantly, sharing your thoughts and opinions in writing is a vulnerable pursuit.

It feels very personal when someone critiques your work. It's like a big rubber stamp saying: YOU'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH. And this can be crippling to the learning process.

The process of learning to write works best when a student is comfortable with his or her mentor in a safe environment where their individual voice and style is respected. Trial and error is essential to growing into a proficient writer.

So what can you do to build confidence in your child as they learn to write?

1. Praise what is done well before finding fault or pointing out errors.

You know the old proverb that "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"? The same applies here. What has your child done well? Good length? Good grammar? Good topic sentence? Say something nice. Offer praise and start off on the right foot. When in doubt, use words like interesting, clever, and creative.

2. Choose the most salient errors and highlight those.

Resist the urge to point out every minute error in a piece of writing as this is overwhelming. Select a few things to work on with each piece and focus on those.

3. Aim for improvement and not perfection.

Even professional writers will tell you that they are never 100% happy with their work...even after it is published. There is always something to improve - something that could be tweaked. Support the process and let your student know that you recognize the hard work they put in.

4. Encourage reading written work out loud.

All kids like to share their work. Reading it out loud lets them add their literal voice to their writing while also training their ear to hear errors. Have fun and encourage playfulness surrounding their work - read with a French accent or like an actor on stage. Help them to see their writing as a creative endeavor that they can change and play with.

5. Encourage a final draft to share.

Insist on a final, clean revision free of notations and corrections. Seeing a beautiful copy - no matter how long it took to achieve - feels good. It can be shared with Dad or Grandma or Aunt Sue. Sharing after all the hard work will naturally build confidence and the desire to write something else to share.

Building Blocks of Writing

What is one of the first toys we give our children when they can sit and crawl?

Blocks.

Rubber blocks, wooden blocks, cardboard blocks.

All kinds of blocks.

What do we give kids as they get a bit older into toddler-hood?

Duplo Bricks.

Then as they approach their adolescence...what do we give them?

Legos.

Yes...from the time our children are teeny-tiny, we are giving them building blocks. They build from directions that allow them to create elaborate masterpieces and they free-build forms that are uniquely their own.

This isn't really any different than teaching writing. We need to give our children the building blocks appropriate to their age if we want them to ever free-build or free-write masterpieces of their own creation.

It is essential to begin when our children are toddlers by looking at letters and following along the words in picture books with our fingers. Sing rhyming songs and encourage rhyming games in the car, in the store - everywhere!

Then as bigger kids, give them the tools to write (even when it's not pretty!) Give them lots of paper and pencils of all colors. Let it be fun and let it be creative. Talk about nouns and verbs: the building blocks of sentences.

As children outgrow each set of building blocks, replace them with the next set...the next level of writing. As they grow, provide more direction (like the Lego set that points out where each piece belongs). Show them the formulas for strong introductory paragraphs and the way to assemble an essay.

If we start at the very beginning when our children are very young, writing won't be a scary prospect. It won't be a daunting task to teach or to learn. It will be a natural progression for everyone involved.

And remember that learning never ends. There will always be more to learn about writing and language even as adults!

Have you ever seen an adult hunched over a table under a bright light, poring over 1000 jigsaw pieces and placing them one by one? It's just another form of building and assembling.

After all, it's how our brains are wired...so teach your writing the natural and logical way by appealing to your student's desire for formulas and building blocks - you'll be pleased with the results!