Learning to Write Mini-Lesson 1:

Teaching writing is an overwhelming task for some parents.  I’ve been teaching writing to homeschooled students from 3^rd to 12^th grades.  I base most of my lessons on techniques from the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW).

In my first class, no matter the age, I forbid certain words from my class.  No longer can the student use these words:

good, bad, nice, mean, a lot, interesting, fun, big, little, small,  pretty, ugly, really, very (adjectives)

come, came, get, got, go, went, say, said, look, see, and saw (verbs)

We then make a list of words that can replace the banned words.  Students can keep a notebook and continually add to the list and use them for references.

This single rule makes a huge impact.  Their writing already begins to sound more mature. 

Students immediately transition from:

                I love my big dog.  I got him for my birthday.  He is a fun dog.  He comes when he sees me.

To:

                I love my immense dog. I received him for my birthday.  He is a lively dog.  He emerges when         he spots me.

Activity Ideas:

Popcorn:  Choose a banned word.  One person names a synonym.  The next person names another one.  Take turns going back and forth or around the room if you are in a class. No pauses or repeats.

Round Robin:  Write each banned word on top of a separate piece of paper. Have the papers laid out.  The students move around the room, adding a synonym to each sheet.  They cannot repeat any word someone else has written.