Homework Writing Practice Expectations

1)

Get your child started on their homework.

2)

Once they are started allow them to complete it on their own. They need to get used to you not being available to help them start every sentence, or tell them how to spell words. If they don’t know how to spell something tell them to just circle it. The reason it is important you do this is because they need to learn how to become independent with their writing. As you can imagine, teachers in school are not able to help them spell every word, or help them when they get stuck each time.

3)

They can be with you in the same room, they just need to learn not to utilize you for help every time they need it. When they write for the first time it is a rough draft, and mistakes are allowed! If they ask for help, just remind them to circle words they do not know and that when they are done, then you will help them. You can even say it is Mr. Wesely’s rule if you need to, I’m O.K. with that!

4)

Read what your child wrote

5)

Compliment it as much as you can! Find something even if it is the way that they wrote the letter T on the third line. COMPLIMENT IT!

Here are some compliments that always work!

I love the sentence you wrote about…

You spelled this word perfectly!

I thought that part was funny!

I see you have a beginning, middle, and end!

The third sentence is my favorite!

6)

~EDIT~

Now that your child is excited and feels good about what they wrote, tell them that you are going to help them make it even better! Help them by showing them how YOU would re-write the first 2 or 3 sentences to make it even better. You can also correct spelling. The key is to always compliment your child. If you are critical this will not be a fun part of your night. Your child has just written what most likely is the best they can, and for you to tear it apart would be the same as your boss at work laying into you. Keep that in mind- “What kind of boss do YOU want to be?”  The more exciting you make it, and the more compliments you give, the easier your job will be. I always prefer easy! How about YOU?