In the 2007 report Writing Next: Effective Strategies to Improve Writing of Adolescents in Middle and High Schools , eleven strategies are listed as showing statistically proven results. The first of these is to teach students writing strategies. It is reported:
Writing Strategies (Effect Size = 0.82)
Teaching adolescents strategies for planning, revising, and editing their compositions has shown a
dramatic effect on the quality of students’ writing. Strategy instruction involves explicitly and
systematically teaching steps necessary for planning, revising, and/or editing text (Graham, 2006).
The ultimate goal is to teach students to use these strategies independently.
In my opinion, the key to these strategies is to teach strategies “explicitly and systematically.”
What are some steps home schoolers can use to do this?
1. When assigning a writing project, assign the student to read models of that type of writing.
For example, when students are to write “business” letters, we spend time reviewing letters to the editor, letters from companies that come in the mail, and sample “business letters” found on the internet. Likewise, when I am attempting to write a specific type of essay, such as a travel essay, I read lots of these. Usually, I find an anthology of this type of writing and read through it before I even begin writing, but sometimes I first write several rough drafts so my thoughts are on paper, then use the models to guide my revision. In either case, looking to see how others have completed this writing project will help to guide my writing.
2. Use prewriting tools to organize thoughts on topic.
A search for a graphic organizer for a writing type or genre will give students one way of organizing their thoughts. Compare and contrast essays are organized differently than persuasive essays. Graphic organizers will help students understand the difference. Simply type the genre and “graphic organizer” into google for several examples.
3. Use peer editing for revision.
The simplest but very effective use of peer editing the writer reading the essay out loud to a parent or sibling or friend. The listener’s only job is to write down questions they have while listening. These questions will help guide revisions because they will force the writer to make clarifications or add information.
4. Use a checklist for editing.
A checklist forces students to go through the essay methodically to be sure everything is in order. A checklist which requires students to check for developmentally appropriate writing conventions ensures the student is pushing herself to present a publishable piece of writing. To determine what is developmentally appropriate think about the complexity of the grammar, punctuation and sentence forms being used. For example, if a student is still struggling with writing complete sentences, it is probably not a good idea to require the writing project to include complex/compound sentences.
These are easy writing strategies which can be used for every writing project to improve the writing of your home school writer.
When most high school, home school writers think of writing in a journal, they think of Anne Frank’s Diary – personal anecdotes, dreams, and rants captured in a diary.
But most writers use a journal not to capture day to day anecdotes and moods, but to explore writing topics before actually writing about them.
Hence, below is a list of journal topics for exploring specific writing genres.
Enjoy!
Some Possible Journal Topics
Journaling topics below may help to inspire you to think about topics for your writing projects.
Friendly Letter Writing Journal Topics
- What is your favorite time of year?
- I was happiest when. . . .
- What is the most important thing you will ever do?
- I always wanted to …
- When I’m older. . . .
- If I had my way. . . .
- My plans for the summer…
- Describe the best hour of the day.
- Complaints.
- Daydreams.
- What is your favorite kind of weather? Why?
- Write one characteristic or habit about yourself that you like and describe it.
- What is your hobby? Why do you enjoy it?
- Write about something you desperately wanted when you were a kid.
- Write about a time you were talked into something and regretted it.
- Did you ever make friends with a wild animal?
- Write about picking apples, berries, or other fruit or vegetables.
- What was it like to get glasses or braces?
- Describe your favorite restaurant.
- Write about a time your parents were proud of you.
- What is the best decision you have ever made?
Personal Narrative Journal Topics
- Home
- My neighborhood
- My family
- My pets
- My favorite holiday
- Awards I’ve earned
- My favorite toy
- My favorite game
- My friends
- Traveling
- My favorite song
- My birthday
- Chores
- My bedroom
- The local store
- Cousins
- My yard
- Hobbies
- Unforgettable vacations
- Strangers
Family Narrative Journal Topics
- Nothing can be worse than. . . .
- The problem is. . . .
- I know better now.
- I’ll never forget …
- I took the blame for …
- Why does it always have to be me?
- Jealousy led to his downfall.
- _____ used to be my hero.
- I was telling the truth and ____ didn’t believe me.
- When he(she) showed up, we were all surprised.
- Our next door neighbor…
- On my first visit to the dentist…
- This weekend I couldn’t ….
- My dad’s (mom’s) greatest accomplishment is …
- The neighborhood bully…
- We were so disappointed …
- It seemed like he (she) had everything.
- I can’t believe I forgot….
- I was only trying to help…
- Thank goodness it was only a nightmare.
- The best advice I’ve ever gotten was from …
Legend Journal Topics
- What is something you do well?
- What is a good neighbor?
- What is your idea of a dull evening?
- What is something that really bugs you?
- What is your favorite song and why?
- 6. What is your favorite movie and why?
- What would happen if everyone wore the same clothes?
- What would happen if you found gold in your backyard?
- What would you do if a friend borrowed things from you but never returned them?
- What would you do if the surprise party was for you but you weren’t surprised?
- What would you do if you found a magic wand?
- If you were five years older you would…
- How would you feel if a new child moved into your neighborhood?
- How do you feel on a warm sunny day?
- How do you feel during a thunderstorm?
- How do you feel when something scares you? What do you do when this happens?
- How do you think eating junk food affects you?
- When you are angry, how do you look?
- Once, when your feelings were hurt, what happened?
- Once, when you were very frightened, what happened?
- Once, when you were embarrassed, what happened?
Interview Journal Topics
- Describe a family member.
- Compare the personalities of two of your friends.
- _____ used to be my hero.
- If he/she had his/her way …
- My favorite holiday guest is …
- I was telling the truth and ____ didn’t believe me.
- A strange meeting …
- The unexpected guest …
- The stranger ….
- Our next door neighbor …
- My favorite teacher …
- My favorite cousin …
- My best friend …
- I’ll never look him/her in the face again.
- Who is the person from history that you would most like to meet and talk to? Why? What would you like to ask?
- Who is the person alive today that you would most like to meet and talk to? Why? What would you like to ask?
- Who is the person from literature that you would most like to meet and talk to? Why? What would you like to ask?
- Babysitting …
- How do you get along with your cousins?
- A famous person …
Research Project Journal Topics
- How do I feel about competition? (sports, school, friends, etc.)
- How I can earn money.
- Buying your own clothes.
- Places I have lived.
- Describe the qualities of a good teacher.
- Describe the qualities of a good parent.
- Describe the qualities of a good friend.
- Pets are like people.
- Cooking is an art.
- Who is the person from history that you would most like to meet and talk to? Why? What would you like to ask?
- Who is the person alive today that you would most like to meet and talk to? Why? What would you like to ask?
- Describe an animal that you identify with strongly. Why do you have a special feeling about this animal?
- What is your favorite kind of weather? Why?
- If you could go back in time anywhere and “anywhen,” where/when would you go and why?
- What law would you like to see enacted which would help people? How would it help?
- What is your hobby? Why do you enjoy it?
- Is there any machine you feel you could not live without? Explain.
- Write about something you desperately wanted when you were a kid.
- Were you ever in a helicopter? limousine? hot-air balloon?
- Write about moving to another city.
- Describe an outdoor game you used to play in the summertime.
Poetry Journal Topics
- A place from my past, including smells, tastes and textures, is …
- Describe sloppy.
- Nothing can be worse than…
- Compare the personalities of two of your friends.
- I was happiest when …
- If my desk could talk…
- Write about an incident that illustrates shyness.
- Write about an incident that illustrates kindness.
- Write about an incident that illustrates courage.
- Write about an incident that illustrates selfishness.
- Write about an incident that illustrates boastfulness.
- I cooked the dinner.
- If I had my way.
- Money of my own.
- Being alone…
- Pets are like people…
- Cooking is ….
- My favorite weather …
- My first vivid memory is …
- The most real emotion is …
- Two animals…
Technical Documents Journal Topics
- Describe your concept of luxury. Create an advertisement for it.
- Describe your ride home. Create a map with direction for it.
- How I can earn money. Write a series of steps to earn money.
- Buying your own clothes. Write a series of steps for how to buy new clothes.
- Your favorite food. Write the recipe for making your favorite food.
- My jobs at home. Write the steps to completing one of these jobs.
- My plans for the summer. Create an advertisement.
- Describe your holiday dinner table.
- Describe a day at the mall.
- Describe your dream room.
- Describe a day at the beach.
- Describe a practical joke you played on a friend or family member.
- Describe a narrow escape.
- Write an advertisement that describes the qualities of a good teacher.
- Write an advertisement that describes the qualities of a good parent.
- Write an advertisement that describes the qualities of a good friend.
- Write the steps to playing with your favorite childhood toy.
- Finish this thought: “If I could change one thing about myself. . .” and write a series of steps for making the change.
- What law would you like to see enacted which would help people? How would it help?
- Is there any machine you feel you could not live without? Write about how your life would be without it.
- Write about a time you performed in front of an audience. List what you did to prepare.
In his article, “Common Core Concerns,” Bob Kellogg states the Home School Legal Defense Association policy against national standards. This makes perfect sense.
Most parents choose to home school to avoid the measuring stick used to prod children along in the public schools. To be fair, with 35 students in a class, it is imperative to have a system of measuring progress and ensuring preparation for the next grade level, to keep the conveyor belt of grade level accomplishment moving. But, home schooling is a jumping off of the conveyor belt of preparing 35 children for the next teacher and is an embrace of a unique’s child’s unique gifts and development.
So, can common core standards help home school parents?
As a tutor, I know that looking at grade level expectations, currently in the form of state standards, helps my students and I keep on track with what we aim to accomplish.
For instance, the expectations for writing builds from one grade level to the next. Once students are proficient at writing narratives and summaries, they are then asked to write biographical narratives and literary analysis. Students must be able to write less complex compositions before they are asked to write more difficult ones.
The other useful component of the writing standards is the grade level “writing conventions” included (grammar, spelling and punctuation). Of course, these also grow more and more complex as students move through the grade levels, but there was also an attempt to match conventions with age appropriate intellectual development. As all parents know, rarely do our children match the development charts and maps. Many children seem to absorb proper writing conventions through osmosis, or from extensive reading, and other children must be taught these conventions explicitly with lots of detached practice until they have internalized the rules for writing conventions. Still, a guide for which conventions to tackle when is helpful. It may be best to ignore mistakes in dangling modifiers before learners understand parts of speech.
In both cases, the common core standards can be a useful guide for parents, though should not be taken as a dictum for a synchronized march toward graduation. Even classroom teachers, myself included, understand that standards for learning are signposts and points on a map. The joy is always in the journey, and no journey is completed in lockstep march steps.
To be against the common core standards as a defense to being forced to join the conveyor belt of education makes sense. To embrace they as a map for possible destinations also makes sense.
One reason parents home school is the an opportunity for their children to learn authentically.
What exactly does that mean?
I remember when my own son came home to ask when he would even need to know how to write an essay about a book.
“In college?” I answered.
“Besides school, I mean…” he waited, patiently. I’m sure he was convinced that since I was a high school English teacher and regularly made my own students write essays about books, I would have a better answer.
“The assignment is full of many transferable skills like analyzing themes and critical thinking and -”
He cut me off. “So, never. Right?”
I was tempted to launch into my back up speech about jobs and careers which required good writing skills, but from my experiences with my own students I knew this line of logic would be met with the question: “But essays about books, what jobs will require that I write those?”
Rather than make the case that someday he may become a book reviewer or an English professor who must publish or perish, I nodded. “Right.”
Fortunately, when parents choose to home school, they can allow their children to pursue authentic writing or allow them to write about things which interest them and which are useful to them.
Like Caleb Warner in the article, “Happily Home Schooled,” who explains he is writing short stories and a novel and songs. You might wonder when he will ever write any of these things for a job. Well, if he is lucky enough to become a novelist or song writer… but more importantly, each of these writing assignments falls into the category of a narrative, which is done in any job requiring an employee to write an incident report – most jobs.
Now I admit that I do “guide” the students I tutor to write essays exploring issues or analyzing themes of books, but because the instruction is individualized, the writing assignments are authentic or grow out of the child’s interests and knowledge.
I do have a student who is currently writing a novel, but I also tutor students who write about their own experiences with chronic illness, about their family stories, about the effectiveness of the Israeli West Bank Barrier, and a student who is writing a children’s book.
Authentic writing for Home Schoolers is about helping children to write about what they are interested in and in the genre they are interested in because out of these writing assignments they will learn the conventions of writing.
Here are the steps I take for guiding students to authentic writing.
1. Examine which genre fits the student’s interest and ability.
For example, a student interested in astronomy may want to write a children’s picture books as a summary for what he knows, may want to write a persuasive essay for why Pluto should be considered a planet, or may choose to write an autobiographical narrative about his first time viewing the stars and why he’s so interested in them. The choices are an endless series of mix and match of interest and genre.
2. Review examples of the genre.
To prepare to write in a particular genre, it is imperative that the writer review how proficient and professional writers are successful. When I teach writing “family legends” I have students read a variety of legends so we can examine the difference between a narrative and a legend.
3. Begin writing but be open to revision of expectations.
Most professional writers have had the experience of sitting down with a writing project in mind only to figure out that the genre does not fit the topic – or at least the treatment of the topic the writer is interested in pursuing. It is a sign of a good writer when she can revise her own expectations to produce the best product.
4. Find an audience.
All authentic pieces of writing have authentic audiences. Whether the audience is a student’s younger sibling, an uncle who works for NASA, the local paper letters to the editor page, or a personal blog, nothing motivates writers like writing for an authentic audience. Usually an authentic audience means someone other than the “teacher.”
Helping your child to write authentic pieces for an authentic audience will help him to be more motivated to write and, hopefully, more successful.
One of my favorite stories is about some well-meaning advice from a friend.
I was at a barbecue lamenting to another friend how difficult it is to give baths to my large dogs. She, too, owns large dogs. We had already run through everything we’d tried and were winding down the conversation with an exchange of pet groomers’ prices and phone numbers when the host of the barbecue walked up and chimed in.
“Have you tried chaining the dog to a fence?”
She must have seen one of many reality shows about pet groomers which clearly shows well-behaved dogs connected to a post while being bathed. Unfortunately, I did not own a pet bathing station and chaining my dog to the fence meant that he could then dance away from me every time I approached with a hose. I wondered, unfortunately out loud, if that worked with her dogs. She admitted she didn’t have dogs and I was not invited back to another barbecue at her house.
The point is, there are many people who are happy to offer advice when they have no experience to back up their opinions. And… there are many blogs about home schooling written by parents who are in the thick of it, who are home schooling and are happy to share their experiences and wisdom with the rest of us.
One such mother is Dianne McLean, owner of the website Home Education Council of America, who shares some great advice, such as how to home school children as they enter secondary education.
As a tutor, I appreciate her advice: “… don’t think that just because you chose to homeschool, that you are required to do all the teaching. The beauty of homeschooling is exercising your right to choose, not forcing undue stress upon yourself. If you are juggling many children, then take a look at what subjects you can possibly trade with another mom – or even still, pay someone if you are unable to reciprocate in services. Some states vary in their laws, but there is always a way!”
Finding the right writing curriculum may be the first hurdle, much like securing a dog for a bath may be the first step in bathing the dog. Unfortunately, even with a secure dog, the right person for the job is very important. Thus, finding an expert in the curriculum subject and in instructional strategies may be the best approach for teaching your home school high school student.
You may just need to swap prices and phone numbers with a friend who has been there.
writingforhomeschoolers 