Compositions

by Cyndi D.

One of the challenging areas for our homeschool middle school child is Composition. It's hard to explain exactly how to write well, and many parents are intimidated because it's not a skill they practice often any longer.  However, like many homeschool parents, I know when I read something if it's done well.

Our middle schooler is working on a two-page Compare and Contrast essay.  The virtual school teacher gave a choice of three topics in Science (double yuck - Science and Composition together!)  Normally, our middle school daughter writes very well and it's awesome to read her work.

Yesterday, she brought me what was supposed to be her finished draft and, well, it was just not acceptable.  It was terrible in substance and organization.   Tears and angry looks ensued when I explained that I would not accept it because it was terrible.  I was mystified that she wrote so poorly until finally it came out that she had just skimmed the sources, not read them, so she could get it done faster. Bingo! 

Oh, the lessons we must learn in middle school don't change!  But the joy of homeschool is that there wasn't a long delay to get feedback.  She didn't have to wait for weeks while the teacher grades 30+ papers, while the books get returned to the library and while the subject is forgotten in the sea of school work.

So for a good hour we talked and worked together to get back on track.  She will be starting all over and turning in a new draft in two weeks.  She is learning that cutting corners doesn't cut it, that I won't give her a good grade if she doesn't earn it, and that she shouldn't turn in anything that she is not 100% proud of.  I think these lessons will last a lifetime!