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Angel Heart Children's Press

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Step into Writing

Overview

If you have really reluctant writers as I do, then this truly unique
approach can help your children get over the hurdle of learning to
write as it builds their confidence. Often times when we ask our
children to write a story, reluctant writers often say, “But I don’t
know what to write about” or “I don’t know how to start.” Even
when provided with writing prompts, they still become frustrated with
the process of “how” to write. This Primer will help them learn to
write by having them model, through copywork, works that have
already been written, like Aesop’s Fables and folk tales, so they don’t
have to “think up” what to write. The lessons start with simple
principles and gradually build on skill to more advanced techniques.
This program will “prime the pump” for the reluctant writer to move
on with ease to full writing curriculums, such The Institute for
Excellence in Writing curriculum.

Children will be able to modify provided stories, making their own
choices of vivid verbs, strong adjectives, and descriptive adverbs, thus
creating their own unique version of the story. The lessons begin by
offering several word choices from which to chose and gradually
move on to using the Thesaurus to look up words on their own to
spice up their writing. They will build a Word Bank as they go to
help them with future writing. This is a great way to begin writing as
it takes the pressure off of children to come up with their own words.
The more they perform these activities, the more it will facilitate their
writing later, and they will soon be able to add their own words
without help. As an added benefit, this program encourages children
who dislike the physical aspect of writing by having them write in
very small amounts in the Story Lessons and worksheets.

In addition, worksheets are also provided to help them learn about
adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, punctuation, series commas,
quotations and quotation marks, and use of a dictionary and
thesaurus. While this is not a grammar curriculum per se, the
grammar is introduced with a worksheet when they are using it in the
lessons, making it easier for them to understand.

There are several additional lesson ideas on page 37 yielding many
more written stories. This program can be completed in as little as 30
days or take as long as one year. The pace at which you choose to
have your child proceed should be based on his comfort level.

The key to success is to move at the child's pace and allow him to
have some fun with this program.