One Single Tip for Improving Your Child's Writing

If you ask my students to a state a rule that they hear me reiterate on a regular basis, many of them will say, "Use strong verbs." I picked up this mantra back when I wrote more than I taught. Noticing that editors always seemed pleased with sentences enticing the readers through active verbs, I learned to incorporate them into my writing and found fewer editors asking for rewrites. Specific, active verbs actually strengthen sentences in a variety of ways.

1.       Solid writing creates word pictures for the reader.  For example, The wind whistles through the trees causing a rain of leaves. Can you see that picture in your head? Now imagine this sentence:  The wind is blowing and the leaves are falling from the trees. Can you see that picture in your head? Sure, but do you hear the whistle? The more specific the verb, the more articulate the word picture.  Another example:  He is driving to the store and his radio is playing loudly.  How about:  He drove to the store with his radio blasting tunes. The second sentence demonstrates action and provides a more articulate word picture.

2.       Stronger verbs generally relate to the senses, allowing most readers to respond more effectively to your writing. Notice that my previous examples weren't just about what the writer saw, but also what he heard. Sentences that stress more than just a visual sense involve the reader and typically, active verbs generate those sensory responses.

3.       Readers enjoy and comprehend active verbs. Active verbs evoke enjoyment for readers because they are more specific and more interesting. This enjoyment typically leads to a greater comprehension of the material presented.

TECHNIQUES

• Verb replacement – obviously, students can simply replace "be" verbs with active verbs in their writing. However, this often leads to stilted or awkward writing and can frustrate the student. So, other techniques should be taught as well.
• Succinct, rather than wordy – at times, students utilize too many words and this results in overuse of  "be" verbs. Such sentences appear longer and less interesting to the reader.    Example: The state of Florida has citizens who are active in politics.    Improved Example: Citizens of Florida actively participate in politics. OR Floridians        actively participate in politics.
• Changing word usage – I find that some of my students develop a solid idea but could improve how they're using the words in their sentences. Example:  You can pet and feed the animals, but make sure you use some hand sanitizer afterwards. Improved Example:  Feel free to pet and feed the animals, but sanitize your hands afterward. Notice how I changed the focus in the beginning of the sentence from the unnecessary "make sure you" to the actual verbs, "pet" and "feed." Also, I took the noun "sanitizer" and changed it to the strong verb "sanitize" which creates a more specific word picture than the previous verb "use."

Should students change all of their "be" verbs into active verbs in a writing assignment? Definitely not, but utilizing strong verbs makes their writing more effective. I tell my students that using "be" verbs in the majority of their sentences illustrates lazy writing. Honestly, for most of us, it's a lot easier to use "be" verbs or less specific verbs. However, if we're going to bother teaching our children to write, why not teach them mastery rather than minimally?

A pleasant man with a British accent just interrupted me as I write this blog at the downtown library in Charleston. He shares many interesting ideas (I often attract total strangers to talk with me…not sure why) as he worked as an electrical engineer for many years. Teaching, as I do, fascinates him and he discusses the idea that so many young people today don't understand the value of articulate communication. He theorizes that they rely on technology but forget that all thinking requires their brain power, not electrical power. I value his insight.

As you teach your children about such things as strengthening their writing, bear in mind that you're charging their battery for learning in general. They may get through life seemingly successful without concern about "be" verbs, but strengthening their written and "thinking" communication skills provides an invaluable learning experience.

God bless you as you teach your children!

Joy of Learning = Retention

One of the biggest issues I've noticed this year is that many of my students only "learn" something long enough to give me the right answer in class or pass a test. Ah, the age old problem of retention. At one point, I actually asked some of my American Lit high school students to tell me what they know about Patrick Henry. Imagine my concern when one of my students, who had taken my American History course the previous year where we read a biography of Henry, responded with "his name sounds familiar." My first thought was "Why am I teaching?" I felt that I had really let that student down. Amazingly, less than half of the class, all of whom admitted to having previously taken American History, could tell me anything about Henry.However, the students who did respond seemed to know a great deal about him. I was clearly dealing with a situation of extremes. 

So, I contemplated the difference between the two student groups. Was it that the knowledgeable group was brighter, more intelligent? No. Could it be that the group lacking knowledge had poor homeschooling, maybe their parents just didn't do a great job of teaching them? Well, considering that I had taught one of those students, well, we'll leave it at that. :) Finally, it hit me...they differed in one area...their attitudes toward learning. Most of the students who responded with knowledge had a different attitude about learning in general. They responded to their education from a perspective of desire rather than feeling obligated.

I remember high school American history. My teacher was the soccer coach and he referred to me by my last name only. He also threatened often to buy me a free airline ticket to anywhere. I drove him crazy because although I was an excellent student, I didn't understand the value of history. Being young, I was much more interested in creative writing where I was allowed to express my thoughts or literature where I could dive into another world for a while. But history? Yuck! 

Fast forward to a homeschool mom with an education degree hoping to teach her children in a more interesting way than she was taught. I spent many hours just sitting in the public library reading picture books, biographies and historical literature. They were much more interesting than textbooks. As my children grew, so did my love for history. I am still learning...I know I have at least one current student who could teach my class...he's that bright. But more than his knowledge, it's his passion for learning that would do the job. 

I have now raised two children who both admit to enjoying learning new things and realize the importance of continuing to educate themselves in their adult lives. This joy of learning translates to my daughter's book stack...she continues to grow in her professional and personal life. My son, a college student, went in with 30 credit hours due to dual-enrollment in high school and now wants to add a minor rather than graduating early. He feels like taking advantage of that time in college makes more sense than trying to go back later. So, how did I help instill this joy of learning in my own children? 

1. Be a learner - I am currently learning to draw and to play a musical instrument. I've never been able to do either, but I also know it's not too late to learn something new. If your children see you striving to add to your knowledge base, they'll take it as a matter of fact process. I still share what I am learning with my children. They encourage me and hopefully, it encourages them to see that I don't believe age should ever deter you from being a learner. Students of parents who read are more likely to be adult readers themselves.
2. Be positive about learning - If you relate stories about how much you or your spouse disliked school, reading, etc., you're giving your children permission to do the same. Regularly point out the value of learning and the joy it brings to life overall. Reading and learning from God's Word is a prime example...how much has studying the Bible changed your life?
3. Don't label your children - My son tends to be much less of an achiever than my daughter and I found myself saying that aloud as he was growing up. But I soon saw the effect it was having on him, as if my expectations for him were lower. I don't believe in lying...my son is an underachiever, but he is amazingly bright. Now, I focus on the amazingly bright aspect and encourage him to work up to it. He just has a very different approach to education, but it doesn't keep him from enjoying learning. Praise God that He revealed my mistake to me before I seriously affected my son's joy of learning. Labeling our children is easy to do because it makes us more comfortable, but it can keep them from growing beyond those labels.
4. Use your child's interests and gifts to instill the joy of learning subject matter that's not as fascinating - If your child enjoys building, but really doesn't like to read, encourage him to read books about building. Maybe you have a budding chef in the family...what better way to teach math skills? Or a future photographer may better see the value of history through photographs and their effect on our perspective. A joy of learning in one area can translate to a general desire to learn more about many different things. 
5. Point out why being a lifelong learner has such value - I often ask my students why they waste their time studying material only to forget it after the test. That's like eating a pan full of brownies while you're jogging. It's pointless except in the immediate. God didn't design us to be stagnate creatures. Proverbs 1 states let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance (v.5). The world changes continually and people who choose not to be learners will find themselves left behind...I am not speaking of technology but wisdom. We cannot be swayed by the many voices that scream out against God, but the joy of learning can lead us closer to our Savior. My parents' generation often referred to education as the means to a great job and comfortable life. I want more than a comfortable life for my children...I want a passionate, Christ-centered life for them where joy is found in growing in knowledge and wisdom. Education isn't about grades or credits, it's about the person you become in the process.  The grade and credits are temporal, but who you are affects your life now and eternally.

Do you have ideas about instilling a joy of learning in our children? How do you go about moving your children from mere short term knowledge to a desire to grow? Please comment and share your wisdom with other homeschool parents!

God's blessing on your homeschool as you raise your writers!