Winter Writing Assignments for the Week of Jan. 25 - 29

Hey, get those little darlings writing again this week! On Wednesday, January 27, the United Nations remembers the Holocaust that affected millions of Jewish people during WWII. The remembrance is called the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust.

How about some topics that have to do with valuing people, all people?

Here are some topic ideas by Little Darlings Press!

• Some things that all people have in common are...
• If I lived in another country I would want it to be... because...
• I think everybody should be treated as equals because...
• When someone treats me unkindly I feel...
• If I saw someone being bullied I would...
• What I think it would be like to live on an island.
• What I think it would be like to in the arctic.

Go ahead, let your little darlings fall in love with writing!

CLICK HERE to check out writing, grammar, and other educational units for homeschool families by Little Darlings Press!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Cold Weather Writing Topics for the Week of Jan. 18 - 22

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It is a time when the birthday of the American Baptist minister, humanitarian, and leader of the African-American Civil Rights Movement is celebrated. This is a great time to write about doing the right thing!

"The time is always right to do what is right." ~ Martin Luther King Jr. 

Also, I don't know about your neck of the woods, but up here in the north our neck of the woods is really, really cold at present! (Did I say really?) We'll add some chilly topics into the mix for the week, also.

Topics for the week to keep your little darlings writing:

• Write about a time you had to chose to do the right thing...
• Have you ever seen some do the wrong thing?
• If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
• If people celebrated my birthday, I would want them to...
• Peace is important because...
• What I want people to know about me..
• Help! A dog is chasing me...
• What would you do if you were stuck outside in a blizzard?
• If it's too cold to go outside I am going to...
• Once when I was playing in the snow...

Go ahead, let your little darlings fall in love with writing!

To check out some great Language Arts units for early learners, CLICK HERE!

Writing Topics For The Week of Jan. 11 - Jan. 15

Writing is a critical part of education, and life! Whether you have your little darlings write in a notebook or journal, or have them write essays, the key is to get them writing!

Topics for this week:

• Looking back: My Favorite Christmas Event
• What I Love About Winter
• My Favorite Winter Sport
• Best and Worst Things About Winter
• If I Lived In an Igloo...
• If I Hibernated Like a Bear...
• If Winter Never Ended...
• Describe the Perfect Snowman
• Describe a Snowflake
• My Favorite Indoor Activity

Go ahead, let your little darlings fall in love with writing!

CLICK HERE to check out the Language Arts units by Little Darlings Press!

Is There Any Value Left in Cursive Writing?

It has come to my attention that many teachers are throwing out the cursive (script) curriculum. And while some still teach it, the reality is, few young people use it.

I know my own kids hit keys to communication. And while we required them to write letters when they were young, they are growing up and they seldom write long-hand anymore.

At some point, I set aside the issue and decided it wasn’t important.

Until a few days ago.

I was visiting my mother-in-law. She’s 80 and she still writes letters in cursive. She commented on how some of her grandchildren don’t use cursive and cannot read it. Hmm.

That got me thinking about it. Maybe the value isn’t so much in the future of cursive handwriting, but the present.

We all know generation gaps exist. They always have. But this one, this inability to read a grandparent’s letters, has me a bit disturbed. I think the value in cursive writing is simply one of communication across the generations. At least kids can learn enough to read it. Do you think so?

I don’t write cursive writing curriculum. I’m more of a grammar and creative writing girl.

However, CURRCLICK has many excellent publishers that do put out curriculum units (short and long) that provide lessons and practice for cursive writing. CHECK IT OUT!

Hey, it's not always about teaching kids the things that will benefit them in the future! Sometimes it's simply giving them a tool that will help them be better people today. 

Start the New Year Off With a Fresh Look at Grammar!

Yes, I said grammar!

I know, it’s the subject the kids balk at. The subject homeschooling parents (some, anyway) shudder at and the subject that, well, you get my point.

But it doesn’t have to be that way!

If you have early learners, say K4-3^rd grade, you still have a good chance at fostering a positive attitude in them about this difficult subject.

How?

Make it fun!

Make it interactive!

Make it interesting!

The internet is full of free grammar games and ideas. There is absolutely no reason kids have to grow up hating grammar. None.

And for those who struggle with the subject? No worries. They’ll get it eventually (and if they don’t get much of it, still no worries, we’re not all destined to be English teachers)!

Try this today: Intermingle grammar with other subjects. Find the nouns in a science lesson. Have students underline action verbs in history. Nouns and action verbs are probably the simplest topics in grammar and young students can typically grasp their concepts fairly quickly.

Start with nouns that are names for people. Then, look for action verbs in the same sentence. Someone is doing something. Who is it and what are they doing? Many sentences will not have people or action verbs. Have your students circle the sentences that do.

The key is to have fun and step outside the box (the rigid, drill-driven grammar box that is)!

By all means, let your little darlings fall in love with grammar this year!

Check out our inexpensive, effective, and fun grammar units for early learners by CLICKING HERE!

Happy New Year!

Little Darlings Press