Journal Writing

[plain jane]

I recently found my journal from way back when I was in grade 1 and thoroughly enjoyed reading it as an adult. I have since decided to have my dc write in their journals once or twice a week. Dd thinks this is great fun and work on her journal enthusiastically.

 

Here's my question: dd makes a number of grammatical and spelling mistakes in her journal enteries. They are never the same mistake, and not every entry has mistakes. The spelling mistakes are always difficult words that she doesn't use everyday, like aquarium. She spelled it auquariam. So, I'm not concerned so much with the spelling as the grammatical mistakes. I haven't been correcting her journal as I see it has her personal log and I do not want to turn her off of it. She's already quite the little perfectionist and I know she will stop freely writing her thoughts if I were to go over her mistakes with her. I'm just wondering if it's "okay" to allow her to make these mistakes in her journal without correcting them or if somehow she will continue to make these mistakes if they go unaddressed.

 

How do you think I should continue with this?

Edited January 16, 2009 by plain jane

[Kuovonne]

I would overlook the mistakes in the journal for exactly the reason you state.

 

You can casually mention that you won't worry about spelling in the journal, but that if she ever wants help spelling, she can ask you. If she repeatedly made the same spelling mistake, can you slip the word into her regular spelling lesson?

 

You could also occasionally (like once a month) take one entry and help her revise it and correct spelling, to help her understand the process of "cleaning up" one's writing.

[plain jane]

I would overlook the mistakes in the journal for exactly the reason you state.

 

You can casually mention that you won't worry about spelling in the journal, but that if she ever wants help spelling, she can ask you. If she repeatedly made the same spelling mistake, can you slip the word into her regular spelling lesson?

 

You could also occasionally (like once a month) take one entry and help her revise it and correct spelling, to help her understand the process of "cleaning up" one's writing.

 

 

I do, do this. I edited the original post to state that I am more concerned with her grammatical errors than her spelling mistakes. Not sure if it's "ok" to let them slide. :confused:

Edited January 16, 2009 by plain jane

[Guest Alte Veste Academy]

I do, do this. I edited the original post to state that I am more concerned with her grammatical errors than her spelling mistakes. Not sure if it's "ok" to let them slide. :confused:

 

I would definitely let them slide. She will naturally self-correct as you work with her on formal grammar down the road, just as I'm sure she naturally self-corrected spelling errors as she's aged.

 

My oldest does a lot of story writing on his own. He also likes to write down his dreams and draw a picture. I wouldn't dream of correcting what he's written. Of course, when we're doing something specifically for school, I will.

 

I would not want to inhibit a child at all in a journal, especially if it's your goal to make it a long-term pursuit.

[Kuovonne]

I would overlook grammatical mistakes in her journal along with the spelling mistakes. They can be a gadge to judge how well she has internalized the language lessons that you teach in formal lessons.

 

If the mistakes really bother you, here are some suggestions:

 

If the grammatical mistakes are mistakes that also appear in spoken English (subject/verb agreement, wrong pronoun, incomplete sentences, etc.), you could slip in oral corrections whenever such mistakes come up in natural conversation.

 

If the grammatical mistakes are written only (capitalization and punctuation), and if they really bother you, you could have her do copywork or dictation.