Teaching Writing to your Homeschool Child

As a homeschool teacher, it's up to you to ensure your student has all the skills needed to become a proficient and enthusiastic writer. Read on to learn more about teaching writng to your homeschooled child.

Find available tutors

Writing is used in nearly every aspect of life - personal and professional. It's critical that students master their writing skills before entering college or the workforce. Homeschool parents sometimes don't know where to start when teaching their children the craft of writing.

Master Reading

Before a child can grasp all of the skills needed for writing, they have to master their reading skills. Reading and writing go hand in hand, so it is impossible to teach one without the other! Encourage your child to read often. Great writers learn by reading the work of other great writers. Ask your child questions about what they have read, focusing on the diction, tone, and voice of the author.

Writing

Once your student has a firm grasp of reading he's ready to move on to writing! Encourage your child to write as much as possible, no matter their skill level. Critiquing and correcting the writing skills can come later, after your child is comfortable with the actual act. A great way to encourage your child to write is to write together. Designate a special time and sit down together several times a week, until your child builds the confidence to set off on their own. You can write stories, poems, journals, letters - anything you want. Essays and research papers should probably wait until you have had the time to teach your child proper grammar and research skills.

Technique

Ask your child what they like about their own writing. How does it compare to the stories they've read? What techniques and devices do authors use in their stories that your child could use to make their writing more engaging? The goal is to get your child to think about how they write in addition to what they writes about. No matter what, never use writing as a form of punishment.

Spelling and Grammar

Don't overload your child with words and rules. These can be learned over time and need not be pushed upon a young writer. The most effective teaching plans and lessons are age appropriate and have significance for the student. If your child really excels at English, it is good to introduce more advanced vocabulary and grammar but don't overwhelm them!

Did you find this useful? If so, please let others know!

Other Articles You May Be Interested In

  • More Blog Articles
    Teaching Organization in Writing

    This article gives a description of organization in voice, as well as its importance. It also has suggestions for ways to organize, including the principle of the five paragraph essay.

  • More Blog Articles
    Is Less Writing a Good Thing for Your Student?

    Everywhere you look there seems to be some sort of educational reform being proposed, implemented or suggested. In many cases reform is intended to be for the better, but a recent bill being sponsored in Washington state calls for doing away with statewide writing assessments. Is less writing necessarily a good thing?

We Found 7 Tutors You Might Be Interested In

Huntington Learning

  • What Huntington Learning offers:
  • Online and in-center tutoring
  • One on one tutoring
  • Every Huntington tutor is certified and trained extensively on the most effective teaching methods
In-Center and Online

K12

  • What K12 offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Has a strong and effective partnership with public and private schools
  • AdvancED-accredited corporation meeting the highest standards of educational management
Online Only

Kaplan Kids

  • What Kaplan Kids offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Customized learning plans
  • Real-Time Progress Reports track your child's progress
Online Only

Kumon

  • What Kumon offers:
  • In-center tutoring
  • Individualized programs for your child
  • Helps your child develop the skills and study habits needed to improve their academic performance
In-Center and Online

Sylvan Learning

  • What Sylvan Learning offers:
  • Online and in-center tutoring
  • Sylvan tutors are certified teachers who provide personalized instruction
  • Regular assessment and progress reports
In-Home, In-Center and Online

Tutor Doctor

  • What Tutor Doctor offers:
  • In-Home tutoring
  • One on one attention by the tutor
  • Develops personlized programs by working with your child's existing homework
In-Home Only

TutorVista

  • What TutorVista offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Student works one-on-one with a professional tutor
  • Using the virtual whiteboard workspace to share problems, solutions and explanations
Online Only

Our Commitment to You

  • Free Help from Teachers

  • Free Learning Materials

  • Helping Disadvantaged Youth