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If you thought your kid was talented with language arts...


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I am not even sure that this is the case. I could be falling prey to the "special snowflake" syndrome even though if anything I err on the other side and have never thought him gifted in any sort of way. (He for example bombed the OLSAT when we lived in NYC in a most spectacular and unequivocal manner).

 

But I think there is something special and hilarious about his writing. We don't do that much of it: We do Junior English (Galore Park, we both love it) and follow the writing prompts. He recently started writing a book on his own. The reason for the book I think is that he insists he wants to "make movies" when he grows up and I finally shared with him that a "lower cost" point of entry might be to write a book that is eventually turned into a movie.  I loved the few pages he wrote and genuinely want to see what happens next (and maybe I am loser who needs to get out more).

 

My specific question is this: how do you encourage the creative writing bit without ruining it for him/burning him out? To accelerate in math is somewhat easier, you just do the next thing. I think it is trickier with creative writing, and I feel even as adults we get mixed messages. I am reminded for example of a Kate DiCamillo interview where she shared she does not particularly love the process of writing, she just makes herself do it (or some such). Whereas most other say they just cannot help but write, it comes naturally, etc.

That is to say, how does one develop the discipline without stripping it of all joy? If he says he has nothing to write about on any particular day, do I ask him to write for 30 minutes anyway? I am really interested in the mechanics of encouraging this along. Many thanks for any thoughts.

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I am not even sure that this is the case. I could be falling prey to the "special snowflake" syndrome even though if anything I err on the other side and have never thought him gifted in any sort of way. (He for example bombed the OLSAT when we lived in NYC in a most spectacular and unequivocal manner).

 

But I think there is something special and hilarious about his writing. We don't do that much of it: We do Junior English (Galore Park, we both love it) and follow the writing prompts. He recently started writing a book on his own. The reason for the book I think is that he insists he wants to "make movies" when he grows up and I finally shared with him and a "lower cost" point of entry might be to write a book that is eventually turned into a movie.  I loved the few pages he wrote and genuinely want to see what happens next (and maybe I am loser who needs to get out more).

 

My specific question is this: how do you encourage the creative writing bit without ruining it for him/burning him out? To accelerate in math is somewhat easier, you just do the next thing. I think it is trickier with creative writing, and I feel even as adults we get mixed messages. I am reminded for example of a Kate DiCamillo interview where she shared she does not particularly love the process of writing, she just makes herself do it (or some such). Whereas most other say they just cannot help but write, it comes naturally, etc.

That is to say, how does one develop the discipline without stripping it of all joy? If he says he has nothing to write about on any particular day, do I ask him to write for 30 minutes anyway? I am really interested in the mechanics of encouraging this along. Many thanks for any thoughts.

 

Bravewriter! Seriously! 

 

There's nothing wrong with thinking your child's writing is brilliant and interesting. There's the first part in not killing his love of it, be his audience (and maybe? first fan).

 

This is where you may start focusing your efforts on making sure his technical skills are solid...spelling, grammar, mechanics, dictation, and so on.

 

I think you would find a lot in Bravewriter to answer all of your questions. It's billed as a program for the "reluctant writer" but really, I've found that my ds (who also loves to write) enjoys the whole process.

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My son writes all day long and he has written several books already this year. What I do for that is leave him alone. It is his passion and I don't want to mess it up by making it feel like school. However during school we do work on language arts to make sure his skills stay sharp. We primarily use Bravewriter and he enjoys it. This year we also began reading books about authors when they were young. He loves reading biographies of writers, and I have enjoyed seeing him so engrossed in these books. Other resources we used this year - Life of Fred language arts (the books were an easy read and review but he liked them) and Cozy Grammar punctuation. 

 

I will say that I also find it hard to accelerate a child that is strong in language arts. Next year we plan to do Literary Lessons from the Lord of the Rings, and I am hoping that will be on his level. We might add in some MCT books too. He went through several of those a few years ago and enjoyed them.  :)

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Find an author that he loves and have him study them as well as their writing style.

 

My senior year in high school I got to do an in-person interview with Dick Francis, whom I loved. At the time, I wanted to be a mystery writer with the stories centered on the American show jumping scene (like Francis' mysteries centered on the British steeplechase scene). I loved reading his work, he was amazingly charming and I learned a little of how he did his research and writing (England to Palm Beach, Palm Beach to England--rough life ;)). He was an inspiration even from a distance, and had I had a teacher to foster it, I could have learned so much more just from reading and analyzing his work.

 

In the end I practiced law :huh:, but that's its own form of creative writing . . . . :lol: 

 

And Special-Snowflake-On! You only parent once! ;)

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Bravewriter.

 

Read. A lot.

 

Start a book discussion group.

 

Start a writer's circle.

 

Find him a writing mentor.

 Thanks for the third Bravewriter vote!

We do read a lot, and i actually think this is the reason for any talent I perceive. I read aloud twice a day, we listen to audiobooks, and he reads independently, usually two books at a time. Nothing unusual by the standards here, but more than most boys this age that we know IRL.

I need to google "writer's circle".

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http://pbskids.org/writerscontest/contest-hub#enter-contest

 

There's a contest on PBS kids. Com that ends around July 1st. My kid saw it and asked me about it. He's written a very funny story and half way illustrated it. We'll see if he gets it finished in time. Maybe other kids who write are interested.

 

Ah, too old. He's in 4th. Many thanks! I'm looking into Stonesoup, etc. now.

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So happy for you and your DS! It really is unusual to have a young boy be so interested in and adept at writing - whether gifted or not that is surely a talent!  I would not push it - he's come so far because HE WANTS TO WRITE, and not because anyone made him.  I would be tempted to give him carte blanche liberty in creative writing, only stepping in when he asks for feedback.  You can read and talk about the writing of others, teach grammar, teach expository writing, but leave the creative writing to him.

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