The "Okay, but..." of Writers' Notebooks
I’ve talked with enough homeschool parents about writing that I can hear the protests brewing in your head when you consider writer’s notebooks. If we believe that writing takes practice and that writers need a space and place to do that practice, then the “Okay, but...” concerns don’t diminish using a writer’s notebook. However, I would like to address three concerns that I think are particularly important in the homeschool setting.
“Okay, but my child doesn’t like to write…”
Going to be frank here: your child wants above all else to please you and earn your approval. Might the reluctance to write be because every thing he or she writes is heavy red penned, critiqued, and about topics you chose?
How we interact with our children as writers influences their attitudes and beliefs about writing. Sometimes, there is a need to sit down and apologize for being overly critical and squelching the writing spirit. If you think that might be needed in your home, I would encourage you to do so today. Then move forward in grace and forgiveness, developing new habits in how you interact with your child.
“Okay, but how do I fit using a writer’s notebook on top of all the other subjects...”
Drop a subject. I personally would suggest you drop formal grammar study and learn how to use the writer’s notebook, and your child’s writing to teach grammar. See section Grammar Study and Writing to understand why I make this suggestion.
Writing is how your student will convey their intelligence. Writing expresses who your child is as a person. Writing helps others give your child feedback. Writing is a skill needed for a lifetime. Make time for writing. Make time for the critical thinking and fluency that will come from writing daily.
“Okay, but what if my child writes about subjects I don’t think he should be…”
One of the amazing opportunities that homeschooling affords is an intense discipleship relationship between parent and child. But when it comes to keeping their writer’s notebook, homeschool students might struggle. They may want to write about topics and ideas that are deeply personal. Especially adolescents.
Based on your parenting ideology, you may take a couple different approaches to this sensitive issue for both you and your child:
- State the boundaries up front, “I don’t want you to write about…” Some of those topics might be the opposite sex, questions about sex or drugs, complaints against parents.
- Allow for privacy. Let the student fold in half any pages he or she prefers the parent not read, but to remain completely private. Note: if you offer this option, respect the folded down pages. Your integrity is at stake if you go back on your word.
- Develop a more open relationship. Encourage the child to write about any topic they desire, but develop a system for using the writer’s notebook to deepen parent/child communication. Suggest the child star the date of an entry that holds content they wish to discuss. This is a request for parental input not just on the writing, but on the life issue. This is your child's invitiation into their world. Be faithful to make time for them and the topics they deem important. Writing next to your child in this way can strengthen not only the writing, but also the relationship.
