All About English Creative Writing

[sharonkhoo]

manorway\" post_id=\"2047476\" time=\"1637642792\" user_id=\"9303:

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2047436\" time=\"1637629518\" user_id=\"28674:

I just got them to write - any style, any content, any length, any form - stories, journals, playscripts, jokes, whatever. I didn't \"correct\" them so much as point out some areas of improvement, spelling/grammar issues, etc. Very much a learn-as-you-go way. We \"self-published\" as well - in earlier years, I would type out their writing and share with grandparents, cousins, friends, etc. Later, they did it themselves by setting up their own blogs, or just wrote stuff for fun, etc.

My younger girl returned to Sg for a few months to take PSLE before continuing her education overseas for another 1.5yrs. We both wept and wailed at the PSLE compo requirements, but found a reasonable compromise between what seemed to be the cookie-cutter way of dealing with PSLE compos and our personal inclinations! So yes, I am fairly horrified by what I hear about how \"creative\" writing is taught in schools and enrichment centres here. It's one way, I suppose, but not a way I like.

I totally love this. Agree. I like to think that if we get kids to just write freely as often as possible, writing to express ideas will get easier. This does not mean they are ready for exams. So if we want them to score, then we just teach them what to tweak and present as narrative stories to satisfy exam requirements, it is OK. But if right from the start, the focus is just memorise the standard lines and produce the same piece as my classmates, it will take away the joy of learning to write. It is just memorising how to score. I know some parents just want to score though, that is why centres exist and thrive.

Something wrong with the quote markers in the post above? Attributed to the wrong people!

[manorway]

I totally agree with simkhoo. I like to think that if we get kids to just write freely as often as possible, writing to express ideas will get easier. This does not mean they are ready for exams. So if we want them to score, then we just teach them what to tweak and present as narrative stories to satisfy exam requirements, it is OK. But if right from the start, the focus is just memorise the standard lines and produce the same piece as my classmates, it will take away the joy of learning to write. It is just memorising how to score. I know some parents just want to score though, that is why centres exist and thrive.

[manorway]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2047493\" time=\"1637647578\" user_id=\"28674:

manorway\" post_id=\"2047476\" time=\"1637642792\" user_id=\"9303:

[quote=slmkhoo post_id=2047436 time=1637629518 user_id=28674] I just got them to write - any style, any content, any length, any form - stories, journals, playscripts, jokes, whatever. I didn't \"correct\" them so much as point out some areas of improvement, spelling/grammar issues, etc. Very much a learn-as-you-go way. We \"self-published\" as well - in earlier years, I would type out their writing and share with grandparents, cousins, friends, etc. Later, they did it themselves by setting up their own blogs, or just wrote stuff for fun, etc.

My younger girl returned to Sg for a few months to take PSLE before continuing her education overseas for another 1.5yrs. We both wept and wailed at the PSLE compo requirements, but found a reasonable compromise between what seemed to be the cookie-cutter way of dealing with PSLE compos and our personal inclinations! So yes, I am fairly horrified by what I hear about how \"creative\" writing is taught in schools and enrichment centres here. It's one way, I suppose, but not a way I like.

I totally love this. Agree. I like to think that if we get kids to just write freely as often as possible, writing to express ideas will get easier. This does not mean they are ready for exams. So if we want them to score, then we just teach them what to tweak and present as narrative stories to satisfy exam requirements, it is OK. But if right from the start, the focus is just memorise the standard lines and produce the same piece as my classmates, it will take away the joy of learning to write. It is just memorising how to score. I know some parents just want to score though, that is why centres exist and thrive.

Something wrong with the quote markers in the post above? Attributed to the wrong people![/quote]Yes. Oops. Sorry. I edited.

[Zeal mummy]

manorway\" post_id=\"2047500\" time=\"1637648213\" user_id=\"9303:

I totally agree with simkhoo. I like to think that if we get kids to just write freely as often as possible, writing to express ideas will get easier. This does not mean they are ready for exams. So if we want them to score, then we just teach them what to tweak and present as narrative stories to satisfy exam requirements, it is OK. But if right from the start, the focus is just memorise the standard lines and produce the same piece as my classmates, it will take away the joy of learning to write. It is just memorising how to score. I know some parents just want to score though, that is why centres exist and thrive.

Agree with you both on this.

& Always encourage our children to try and not be fearful of making mistakes. Practice makes perfect.

[tracychew]

I have to agree with the exam bits… I started out wanting my kids to explore "free" writing but once the PSLE year came it was all exam preparation. Thank god those days are over. Until today she still shudders at the thought of compo writing… But she still enjoys journaling and I see that her writing there is quite good, without the exam pressure.


Oops mummy is not supposed to peek at her diary haha…

[Liew Nga Wing]

tracychew\" post_id=\"2050304\" time=\"1638433477\" user_id=\"143434:

I have to agree with the exam bits.. I started out wanting my kids to explore \"free\" writing but once the PSLE year came it was all exam preparation. Thank god those days are over. Until today she still shudders at the thought of compo writing.. But she still enjoys journaling and I see that her writing there is quite good, without the exam pressure.

Oops mummy is not supposed to peek at her diary haha..

Do you kids know that you peek at their diary?

[tracychew]

Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=\"2050323\" time=\"1638439991\" user_id=\"195250:[quote=\"Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=2050323 time=1638439991 user_id=195250]
Do you kids know that you peek at their diary?[/quote]

Thanks for the question. I guess if you read it literally, I can understand you think I am a crazy mummy invading my kids privacy and then talking about it online...... :imdrowning: :?:

So let me explain how I \"peek\" at her diary..
She started the journal as an exercise with a teacher to put her thoughts down into words since she was 9.
She often shares the diary with me.. I do not read it when she doesn't share..

So yes.. She knows..

I am sorry if I raised any concerns.. :slapshead:

[Liew Nga Wing]

tracychew\" post_id=\"2050362\" time=\"1638453635\" user_id=\"143434:

Thanks for the question. I guess if you read it literally, I can understand you think I am a crazy mummy invading my kids privacy and then talking about it online...... :imdrowning: :?:

So let me explain how I \"peek\" at her diary..
She started the journal as an exercise with a teacher to put her thoughts down into words since she was 9.
She often shares the diary with me.. I do not read it when she doesn't share..

So yes.. She knows..

I am sorry if I raised any concerns.. :slapshead:

You are a great mother and I just curious only.
When I was small, I liked reading and writing detective stories but my parents never read what I wrote

[tracychew]

Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=\"2050368\" time=\"1638454868\" user_id=\"195250:[quote=\"Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=2050368 time=1638454868 user_id=195250]
You are a great mother and I just curious only.
When I was small, I liked reading and writing detective stories but my parents never read what I wrote [/quote]

Aiyoh.. If you have them send to me I will read them :rahrah:

[Mychildcentrelogin]

Can someone recommend S&T exercise book to buy for P6 students?