A Week of Writing in Our Homeschool: Strategies and Resources
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
As a former teacher turned homeschool mom, I prioritize incorporating diverse writing activities into our weekly routine. Here's an overview of how we approach writing for my 10-year-old (4th grade) and 8-year-old (2nd grade), along with resources that support our journey.
4th Grade Writing Routine
IEW Structure & Style: We are progressing through Year 1A of the Institute for Excellence in Writing's (IEW) Structure & Style program. This curriculum provides systematic and explicit writing instruction, helping students develop foundational skills.
Writing & Rhetoric: We alternate IEW with Writing & Rhetoric program to diversify our writing practice. This approach exposes my child to various writing styles and techniques, fostering a well-rounded skill set.
Literature Vocabulary and Journal: We engage in novel studies that include maintaining literature and vocabulary journals. Using a Schoolnest commonplace notebook, we document and explore new words encountered during reading, enhancing comprehension and expression.
Content-Area Notebooking: Notebooking is a consistent element in our homeschool. Each week, my 4th grader works on science and/or social studies notebooking. This practice reinforces learning and encourages independent research and writing. For guidance on implementing notebooking, refer to my Notebooking Guide.
Check out my Instagram reel for a video format of a Week’s Worth of Fourth Grade Writing.
2nd Grade Writing Routine
IEW People & Places: We initiated formal writing instruction this year with IEW’s thematic program, People & Places. Focusing on familiar content reduces cognitive load, allowing my child to concentrate on developing writing structure and summarization skills.
Copywork: Twice a week, we incorporate copywork from her current reading material, emphasizing phonograms that need reinforcement. This practice supports handwriting, spelling, and grammar skills. For more on our copywork routines, download my free Copywork Guide.
Content-Area Notebooking: Similar to my older child, my 2nd grader engages in science and/or social studies notebooking weekly. Depending on the week's focus, this may include writing prompts, narrations, shared writing, or copywork tailored to her developmental level. The Notebooking Guide offers strategies for managing notebooking with children of multiple ages.
Spelling Sentences/Phrases: Once a week, she writes phrases or sentences from our spelling program in her spelling notebook, reinforcing vocabulary and sentence construction.
Literature Vocabulary and Journal: We are beginning a literature journal where she will summarize her readings, fostering comprehension and writing skills.
Check out my Instagram reel for a video format of a Week’s Worth of Second Grade Writing.
Supporting Resources
To effectively implement these writing activities, I have developed several guides:
Writing Instruction Guide: My 80-page Writing Guide details how to teach writing in your homeschool, covering writing development, instructional practices, curriculum recommendations, and graphic organizers.
Notebooking Guide: My Notebook Guide teaches you how to incorporate notebooking into your homeschool routine, including what to notebook, starting and establishing a routine, and managing notebooking with kids of multiple ages.
Spelling Instruction Guide: My 20-page Spelling Guide is a resource for selecting, implementing, and maximizing the effectiveness of a spelling program.
Copywork Guide: My free Copywork Guide walks you through making copywork a meaningful instructional activity as part of your homeschool writing program.
By integrating these resources and maintaining a structured yet flexible writing routine, I aim to develop strong writing skills tailored to each child's needs and interests.
