A Simple Way to Teach Writing
Our Mary Evelyn is a writer. Yesterday I told you about the new edition of her book Katy. Tomorrow we are scheduled to release its sequel, Katy’s Box, the sweet story about Katy’s family’s first year of homeschooling. Every homeschooling mama can identify with Katy’s mom, Eva Porter. She wants to do a good job. She tries so hard. She is stretched so thin that she just doesn’t know what to do. She learns solutions.
The process of our Mary Evelyn going from brand new homeschool student to writer was not a smooth one, at least not in the eyes of her mama and daddy. She learned to read later than we expected. Once she learned to read it was several years before she liked to read. Her handwriting, which is beautiful now, was far from beautiful until she was in her teens.
So how did Mary Evelyn become a writer (an excellent writer in her mama’s humble opinion)?
- We read great books to her.
- Once she learned to love reading, I required her to read great books, even in the summertime — but not so many as to be unfair or feel like a burden.
- I required her to write in a journal for ten minutes four days a week.
- I let things she wanted to write become part of “school.”
- We visited historic sites related to books and authors.
- We did gentle grammar, but not too much.
- We praised her.
- We set an example of discipline and completing important things.
- She took a one-semester writing course offered by a local teacher one time. I wasn’t super impressed with it.
And now Mary Evelyn is a writer.
I like to think of Mary Evelyn as my butterfly. She needed a little bit longer in the cocoon than I expected. Once she emerged, she has never stopped soaring. There wasn’t a problem with her timetable; there was a problem with mine.
Again and again I hear parents talk about their worries about their children’s writing. I worried about many things, but I didn’t worry about writing. Well, I did worry a bit about handwriting, but not creative writing. Writing for us was simply a natural thing that sprang out of other things we were doing on purpose, things like reading and journaling, a bit of grammar and the opportunities around us.
I don’t mean this to be simplistic. And I certainly don’t mean this to be critical of anyone who does worry about writing. After all, I was a master at worrying about other school subjects! I just offer these thoughts as an encouragement because I care very deeply for you and your children.
I just remembered one more thing that made Mary Evelyn a writer. She loves her Father in heaven. She wants to honor Him. She uses writing to honor Him, to share the gospel, and to deepen the faith of believers. The most important factor in Mary Evelyn’s writing is the why.
Whatever you do, do your work heartily,
as for the Lord rather than for men,
knowing that from the Lord
you will receive the reward of the inheritance.
It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
Colossians 3:23
Katy’s Box is a story of learning, and of learning what matters. Enjoy our book trailer!
Visit our website to find out how you can get a signed copy and free shipping if you order by November 15.