One of the best things about homeschooling is that I get to teach my kids how to write! But I have a hard time understanding my reluctant writers. How can they stare at a blank page for SO long without filling it with wonderful words? But we’ve all been there. Sometimes it’s hard to get the words on the page. Here are 3 strategies that I use for my kids and myself when we’re struggling to write.
2. Write Stream of Consciousness. Sometimes when we write what we are thinking, and let go of worrying about the perfect word combination, we come up with the most wonderful combination of words....or not. I give my kids permission to write: “I don’t know what to write” over and over again if they want to and somehow, that’s never happened. Even if that does happen, there are words on the page. And if all else fails, watch this chicken video. It's a well known fact at our house that chickens inspire ideas. What helps you overcome writer’s block?
Kirsti Call is a homeschooling mom of five. Her debut picture book, The Raindrop Who Couldn't Fall, came out December 2013 with Character Publishing. Her family band, Calling Out, plays songs written by her children. She contributes to Writer's Rumpus, and Kids are Writers. If you visit her house, you’ll likely find her watching her backyard chickens or writing, of course. You can find out more about her at www.kirsticall.com.
6 Comments
Carrie Charley Brown
9/16/2015 04:48:21 am
The persuasive essay melts my heart! Love this, Kirsti!
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Kirsti Call
9/16/2015 05:28:15 am
Thanks Carrie! I was happy that she was writing!!!
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Kirsti Call
9/17/2015 11:57:46 am
Glad you like it, Virginia! It really does help :)
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9/22/2015 12:21:58 am
At first I'd like to say that You're really great with all that homeschooling with your five children, that's fantastic! I liked your idea about writing stream of consciousness. That cool training not only foe writing but also for right building of thinking. That's cool!
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Kirsti Call
10/7/2015 11:09:04 am
Thanks! I love writing stream of consciousness because then you're completely free to express yourself without worrying about spelling or other constraints.
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