Students will graduate from high school with a strong base in writing. And while it’s essential they can write properly and confidently, it’s equally important they’ve had the opportunity to explore different genres and styles.
When preparing your child for their teen years, you’ll want them to have the skills to write a winning essay or creative piece. Whether it’s a book report for an e-book or a personal statement for artistic reasons, creating content is a great way to develop language and critical thinking skills.
So, how should they learn to write?
There are several options available to you when it comes to their writing development. While it’s important to find the right fit for your son or daughter, it’s also crucial that it’s something they enjoy and look forward to.
On that note, here are some suggestions for how to grade your child’s writing based on their interests.
English
If your child is an English major, they’ll likely start taking classes in college that focus on writing structure and style. In high school, they can take English composition I or English composition II. This is usually a senior year in school and can be a great opportunity for them to build on top of their strong foundations in reading and listening.
As a teacher of English composition, I usually prefer the independent study method where students are given individual work quizzes and graded on completion. This gives them the flexibility to work at their own pace. Plus, with grades withheld, students must learn to value their own opinion and be patient with the process.
As a general rule, I would advise parents to stay away from the Honor Roll and Advanced Placement opportunities for their child’s writing. While this may be a wonderful fit for your son or daughter, it can also be overwhelming and stressful. Plus, with AP and Honor Roll opportunities, grades get pushed as a priority. In other words, it’s all about academic achievement and not so much about creating or improving as a writer.
Maths
If your child is a math major, they’ll face the same writing structure and style discussion in college. However, they’ll have the opportunity to explore mathematics through application rather than just accomplishment.
Take the GMAT (Graduate Management Application Test) for instance. This is a standard test for future managers and business administrators. While it’s a good fit for your son or daughter once they’ve completed college and can set their resume alight, it’s an opportunity for them to explore mathematics through problem solving. And what’s more, they’ll have the opportunity to do this while under stpressure. The test focuses on verbal reasoning and mathematics induction. So, it’s a great choice for your teen who love math but are looking for a soft option (relative to the academic world).
Similarly, your child can participate in the after-school MATHCOUNTS programme sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Measurements. This is a resource for families to encourage their child’s learning. And while it’s a great programme, it’s also an opportunity for your son or daughter to explore numeracy through problem solving. Finally, they’ll have the opportunity to work on their writer’s craft. So, it’s a double-edged sword when it comes to writing. On the one hand, it’s an academic honor to be able to write the correct answer. On the other hand, it’s an essential life skill that will be required of them in the future.
Science
If your child is a natural sciences major, they’ll likely be required to take a Class II science course in high school to gradually introduce them to the world of science. In addition to this, it’s a good idea to enroll them in a scheduled biology class. This is a great choice for your teen who are interested in biology and evolution. And what’s more, they’ll get the opportunity to see exhibited the skills they learn in college. This can be a tangible demonstration of academic success. When it comes to writing, your son or daughter will need to learn about scientific writing style. The scientific community is very pursuit of objectivity and a clear and detailed method of presentation. With that in mind, I would suggest you treat your child to a Harvard Business School tutorial on scientific presentation. This is a great fit for your son or daughter once they’ve graduated from college.
If your child is a biochemist interested in drug discovery, they can participate in the Genetics Society of America’s Genetics Education Programme. This is a free programme for geneticists, biologists, and student participants. Through this programme, your child will learn about DNA sequencing, mutation, and gene identification. Mutation is an important topic in modern biology and medicine. It’s a process whereby genes change over time due to environmental factors. So, throughout high school, your child will need to learn about this. In addition, gene identification is the process of matching a genetic profile (from a DNA test) with a phenotype (from spots on a knee crystal). This is a useful topic for them to learn as it will play a pivotal role in their future work.