Trresh Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 My 10 year old is writing a 'book'. I didn't assign it. It's super imaginative and has lots of great descriptive passages. I'm very impressed with it but it is riddled with misspellings, grammatical errors, punctuation problems, etc... He has about 18 notebook pages worth so far and has taken great pains to write it as neatly as he possibly can. Messy handwriting has been an issue with him. He's definitely putting a lot of effort into it. I'm afraid that 'marking up' his work will take the fun out of it and make him feel like a failure but then again the teacher in me thinks it might be a good learning opportunity. What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKapers Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 I went through this same dilemma with my son. I decided that I wouldn't mark up what he did. It was very hard not to point out spelling errors and such. However, we do other writing and that is when I decided to focus on those things. If he asked me about spelling, than I would tell him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lang Syne Boardie Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 I don't correct things like that. The boys know generally that they can always ask me for help in editing and polishing their work, but I only deliberately meddle in work that I have assigned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 No! Let him just have fun. He'll figure it out. Oh, if he asks you to edit then do so with love. But for now, just let it be. When he is done, put it away. You will treasure it in the years to come. And good for him! 18 pages!? I am super impressed. It's like when my boys improv on the piano. They perform some of them for their teacher and he just thanks them and tells them that he like it very much. It is their creative endeavor and not presented for critique. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKDmom Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 No, I wouldn't. Just find things to praise and ignore the errors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocelotmom Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Ask if he wants editorial help? For us, if DS is writing for an assignment or an audience outside the immediate family, he does a rough draft, then we go through and edit it together. I wouldn't make him do this for something he was writing totally for himself, but if he wants to publish it, he needs to polish it first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trresh Posted November 15, 2011 Author Share Posted November 15, 2011 Thank you. I'll hold back unless he wants my help. I felt that it was the right thing to do but it's hard. I just finished reading the newest stuff and I'm seriously impressed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acurtis75 Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 I wouldn't correct him as he writes. When he's done I would offer to edit or type it up together to make it look like a real book. You could discuss the actual editing/publication process and make it an educational experience. I wouldn't push if he wasn't interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjins Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 If he keeps going and finishes it (jump for joy) offer to type it with him and edit it for spelling and other errors at the same time. Then together, side by side, you type while you work together reading through it. When you get to a spelling error, ask if he knows the correct spelling (often times spelling and creativity conflict), if he does not type it as it is spell and see what spell check does with it. Help him problem solve through the options spell check provides. I too, would struggle to see these misspellings - but who would want to discourage the will to write! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trresh Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 I like the idea of offering to type and possibly edit it after he's finished. You ladies are great!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 You could also have a book made after editing from something like lulu.com. Their rates are fairly reasonable. It might make a nice Christmas present for grandparents! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abigail4476 Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 No. There's a time for editorial help, and that's in a class setting. This is creative expression and he should be given a long leash. :) I like the idea of offering to type and possibly edit it after he's finished. You ladies are great!! I love the idea of having it printed into a real book, but I still wouldn't correct everything. Part of the charm of reading back through the writings of a child is that they are childlike. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parker Martin Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 No. Do not mark it up. Do not even offer until he's finished it, if he ever finishes it. I did the same thing at that age and worked on it for years. It was a great experience for me. It would have been ruined if someone had critiqued it while I was working on it or even after without my asking. All of my professional work has involved writing, so I suppose it all worked out. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msrift Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 I would not mark it up either. That would quickly squash any enthusiasm my son had for his project. However, I would take note of any spelling, grammatical, or other writing errors (without him knowing, of course!) and find ways of incorporating them into his upcoming lessons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.