Creative Homeschool Writing AKA Diary of a Whiny Homeschooler.

Is teaching handwriting to your homeschool child frustrating?

I homeschool a 3rd grader. She is a very opinionated 3rd grader. She knows multiplication and division so she is now ready to take on the world (so she thinks).  But “Princess” has a little issue, she does not like handwriting.  She likes to draw, she loves to make up stories, and she has quite a correspondence with various penpals across the globe, but when it comes to actually showing me some handwritten work, she melts!

I’m a bit sympathetic sometimes. She is being raised in a world of techno, computer keyboarding.  She can type really fast. She can compose some awesome little stories on a word document, but ask her to hand write a paragraph on her latest book read and I might as well be asking my dog to do it.  

Actually, I think the basset hound would show more progress.

So, what is a parent to do? I know she can do it, at least, I tell myself that but when the day comes that any skeptical relatives or my well meaning educator friends notice her lack of enthusiastic writing abilities, I know I will question myself as to my ability to teach her. (This is a common question  a lot of fellow homeschooling parents ask themselves quite frequently, so I am told.) 

Lately I see a little ray of sunshine in the clouds, the dark rainy, trantrum filled clouds…it is called The Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series.  It is getting a lot of attention because they are making it into a movie.  Yay!

I have a small edict in our household about movies from books.  I encourage myself and the children to read the book before going to see the movie. For me, it encourages discussion and in my analytical world, it gives me YET another reason to yak! (Remember, those who don’t know me, I love to yak, talk, gab, etc.)

So, Diary of a Wimpy Kid has my 3rd grader curious. So much so that when she saw it in the store the other day, she walked around reading it (and bumping into various displays). It was the quietiest Costco visit I have EVER had with my children in tow.  The other kiddo racked up on a generous sampler so she had a mouth full of Fruit by the Foot most of the visit.

I purchased the book for her and as we are driving home, in quiet I should add, I had an ephiphany…it was time for her to truly imulate the diary concept but on her own free will.  Now don’t get me wrong, she has had diaries before, but she has never wanted to write in them because I suggested it to her. But this time, a small spark of clever hit that part of the mom brain that usually produces results.  I made the very small comment that the character was pretty smart to write down all of this because he had a great book and now he was going to make a movie. 

What happened next was likened to a small brain explosion of the Hannah Montana variety!

*BAM*  Movie?  Movie means famous…famous means make-up, hairstyles, and new clothes…make up, hairstyles, and new clothes means I become the most wonderful 3rd grader EVER!  

“Mom, can you get me a new diary?”  It was like manna from heaven for a frustrated homeschooling mom, the saving substance that just may mean she is going to take up the art of handwriting. 

So, last night equipped with new journal/diary, new pen, and renewed sense of writing ability, she took on her new project, to be like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid and tell her side of the story. I was so proud… until…

“Good morning, Mom!”  “Good Morning Syd, did you sleep well?”  “Oh yes, and I woke up this morning and put my first entry into my new diary.”  “That is wonderful, honey.”  “Yep, you wanna read it?”  “Well, if you want me too, sure!”

She hands me the book, she smiles really big, and I begin to read.  Needing almost duct tape to not try to be critical of any incorrect spelling, grammar, etc., I read with an open mind and closed mouth.  Her handwriting is wonderful, the content complete, and the subject…well, the subject was ME!  Oh great, I have given my 3rd grader her very own slam platform to keep for years and years to come.

Oh well, at least she is handwriting the entire thing…and is quite good. 

And for the record, asking your 8 year old to clean up HER paint mess on the floor is not “abusive”…I don’t remember that word even being on any of her spelling tests.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid premieres on March 19th at your local movie theaters. It is a great way to encourage your homeschooler to begin the art of creative writing.