My New Mantra

Classical Writing is our writing curriculum. It is based on the ancient Greek model of progymnasmata.  During our seven years of homeschooling I have researched, bought, and discarded numerous writing programs. Time and again I would return to look over Classical Writing, but it seemed overwhelming and too high-minded for my Pooh brain. Finally, I gave into the pull. Teaching writing by this method I now believe to be very effective. Allow me to draw a powerfully academic analogy: it is the Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid, wax on/wax off,  I say/you do approach. It is analysis, dissection and mimicry of the highest caliber of writings. It is not so high-minded after all; the concept of learning by imitation is simple.

A student, however, may not always see the value in this type of assignment, but the value is indeed there. The girls do think that some of the writing exercises are akin to forcing them to chew aluminum foil and they moan and wail as though they are doing just that. This is okay with me. I am the mom, and I can take it. Their writing is improving and it is improving in ways they do not yet recognize and so I remain okay with their cries of despair. One day they can (very effectively) write their memoirs about my Draconian torments.

Some days the comparison fear begins to creep in as I know some kids their ages are writing 8-10 page papers. The second-guessing monster is insidious and I must remember that length is not our goal, depth is.

As I have watched their skills evolve, it seems that there is no 'aha' moment in writing as there is in math when a concept is realized. It is a long process with no shortcuts. So, in order to calm my fears and remind myself of the realities of learning solid writing skills I will repeat my mantra: Learning to write effectively is a marathon, not a sprint..learning to write effectively is a marathon, not a sprint...learning to write effectively is a marathon, not a sprint.