Dear Parent,

Writing requires effort and giving oral reports can be easier for many students, both boys and girls. However, being able to speak well is a valuable skill, too. CHC's Creative Communications: Thirty Writing, Speaking, and Drawing Projects for Homeschoolers offers advice on encouraging reluctant writers and provides various real-life opportunities for using these skills. I have discovered that students who do not typically enjoy writing are motivated by the practical writing projects and writing games outlined in this book.

Creative Communications was originally based upon writing projects my own children completed, and then later the games and projects were redesigned and expanded for the benefit of struggling public school students whom I tutored after school. As one parent said when her son showed her the full page result of his ten-minute writing game, "He's never written this much before. He can really write." For very reluctant writers of any age, begin with the writing games and the simplest writing projects to help them gain confidence and insight into the different ways writing can be used.

Keep in mind that writing is a tool in this age of information and that writing should not be reserved only for school assignments. By finding ways to combine writing and speaking in daily life outside of schoolwork, your children will see the advantages of communicating by writing.

Yours,

Sandra Garant