Writing Aids

[Georgiana Daniels]

Can someone tell me about Writing Aids for ToG? Is there any benefit for kids who are at 1st and 2nd grade level? Does an actual book come in the mail?

 

As a separate but related question (OK, there are many;) ) when you get anything DE from ToG, what happens when you change computers?

[Georgiana Daniels]

bump

[ange]

:bigear: I'm wondering the same thing!

[SewLittleTime]

I can't answer your question on Writing Aids, but I can the one on changing computers.

 

We just recently purchased a laptop, but my DE is on our destop. On TOG's site there is a form you sign stating you are only using the DE format within your family. Look under "help and FAQs". Then scroll down till you see forms. There is a form there that gives you another license. After you fill out the form, all you do is download the products you've already purchased to your new computer.

[Tracy]

Can someone tell me about Writing Aids for ToG? Is there any benefit for kids who are at 1st and 2nd grade level? Does an actual book come in the mail??

 

I purchased WA when they were on sale hoping I could start using them for 1st grade. I am afraid that I am not very happy with WA for this age. My dd6 is generally advanced in all areas, but I think that she would have trouble with the assignments. And I don't really like the idea of the "word bank," where they write words on cards and then color code them for parts of speech so that they can make sentences with them. Dd is very aware that most words can be used as different parts of speech, so I think this assignment (used a lot with levels 1 and 2) would be both too limiting and too challenging at the same time. I am leaning more toward the WWE philosophy of writing.

 

As a separate but related question (OK, there are many;) ) when you get anything DE from ToG, what happens when you change computers?

 

When you change computers, you just call Lampstand Press, and they will help you to download the license to your new computer.

[Georgiana Daniels]

I can't answer your question on Writing Aids, but I can the one on changing computers.

 

We just recently purchased a laptop, but my DE is on our destop. On TOG's site there is a form you sign stating you are only using the DE format within your family. Look under "help and FAQs". Then scroll down till you see forms. There is a form there that gives you another license. After you fill out the form, all you do is download the products you've already purchased to your new computer.

 

Good to know! Now I don't have to worry over it since I seem to change computers every few years.

 

 

I purchased WA when they were on sale hoping I could start using them for 1st grade. I am afraid that I am not very happy with WA for this age. My dd6 is generally advanced in all areas, but I think that she would have trouble with the assignments. And I don't really like the idea of the "word bank," where they write words on cards and then color code them for parts of speech so that they can make sentences with them. Dd is very aware that most words can be used as different parts of speech, so I think this assignment (used a lot with levels 1 and 2) would be both too limiting and too challenging at the same time. I am leaning more toward the WWE philosophy of writing.

 

 

 

I wonder if I'd feel the same way. It's a lot of money to spend and find out it's not age appropriate (it's my 6 year old I was really wanting to start with it.) Thanks!

[Tracy]

I wonder if I'd feel the same way. It's a lot of money to spend and find out it's not age appropriate (it's my 6 year old I was really wanting to start with it.) Thanks!

 

I think that you have to nail down what philosophy of writing that you want to follow. I am not sure that I would say that WA is not age appropriate. But it seems more like the philosophy that says that young children should just write as much as possible, even before they have the handwriting skills to do it. Whereas, WWE takes a more step by step approach to writing.

[Georgiana Daniels]

I think that you have to nail down what philosophy of writing that you want to follow. I am not sure that I would say that WA is not age appropriate. But it seems more like the philosophy that says that young children should just write as much as possible, even before they have the handwriting skills to do it. Whereas, WWE takes a more step by step approach to writing.

 

Hmmm....OK. I hadn't thought of it that way. What types of assignments do 1st graders have?

[Guest]

I see you were already informed about the Network License. Another thing to note is that this is not limited to just two computers. I got our original licenses to use on three computers but I am currently using it only on my desktop and Adrian's laptop, which we use in our school area. I don't believe there is a limit as to the number of computers, once they are in your home to be used by your family.

 

Quoting Tracy below, I wanted to say that I am really glad I bought WA. One thing about WA is that it can be used for grades 1-12 (just by buying that one book) and can be used independently also (you would have to plan it out yourself though), or used as a resource with other writing programs.

 

One activity I have used a lot and have been happy with is the Draw and Caption. For this activity I make notebook pages for Adrian with a section to illustrate and lines on the bottom to write about something he has learned.

 

In the case of the card work bank that Tracy mentions in her post below, I have changed it and included the parts of speech examples to be written on Adrian's vocabulary and writing page (I have put these two together). I too was not interested in the making of the sentences part of this activity since we have so many LA programs we are using and did not feel the need to add this activity at this time. I probably will not follow it next year either. In my case I prefer a more middle of the road approach when it comes to writing. We also use WWE and intend to stick with it. However TOG's approach with the Draw and Caption activities is a gentle introduction to writing. I had already been following a similar approach the year before with the book Draw then Write so I was thrilled to see this activity offered through WA.

 

I purchased WA when they were on sale hoping I could start using them for 1st grade. I am afraid that I am not very happy with WA for this age. My dd6 is generally advanced in all areas, but I think that she would have trouble with the assignments. And I don't really like the idea of the "word bank," where they write words on cards and then color code them for parts of speech so that they can make sentences with them. Dd is very aware that most words can be used as different parts of speech, so I think this assignment (used a lot with levels 1 and 2) would be both too limiting and too challenging at the same time. I am leaning more toward the WWE philosophy of writing.

 

I agree with Tracy on this although I will add that you can also follow your own philosophy which can be a combination of others (but that's just me, I like exposing my son to different approaches and hate putting all my eggs in one basket ;)). I will also agree that TOG does mention that you should have the kids writing as much as possible but I would have to disagree that they mean that this should be done before the kids have the handwriting skills. WWE and TOG's approach are different but can very easily compliment each other if you are looking to go that route :).

 

I think that you have to nail down what philosophy of writing that you want to follow. I am not sure that I would say that WA is not age appropriate. But it seems more like the philosophy that says that young children should just write as much as possible, even before they have the handwriting skills to do it. Whereas, WWE takes a more step by step approach to writing.

Edited March 28, 2011 by Guest

[Guest]

I can't remember if this part of your question was answered and do not have the time to look right now because I have to get going but just wanted to add that, yes, you receive a very well made binder when you order WA. It is as thick or thicker than a hardcover book and is spiral inside so can very easily sit flat. I was very impressed by the quality and once again impressed at the attention to detail that TOG seems to show with all their materials. That binder has all the information for all the levels concentrated in it by topic. The DE portion that you get is TOG picking out the activities from WA and putting them in the weekly plan for you for your convenience :D. HTH.

 

ETA: A worthwhile buy where I am concerned.

Edited March 28, 2011 by Guest

[TracyP]

I am also a fan of the WWE philosophy over WA. I could have waited a few years before buying WA but, like so much of TOG, *I* am learning about grammar and the writing process with WA. I sat down and read the entire thing and have referred to it on several occasions for teaching help. If you have an eager writer that would enjoy some additional writing assignments I think WA is a good resource.

[Tracy]

I will also agree that TOG does mention that you should have the kids writing as much as possible but I would have to disagree that they mean that this should be done before the kids have the handwriting skills.

 

According the WA manual, this the philosophy behind the Word Bank activity is that it allows kids to compose sentences without being burdened by actual handwriting. By the end of the 1st grade year, they are composing entire paragraphs without having to physically write them.

[Guest]

According the WA manual, this the philosophy behind the Word Bank activity is that it allows kids to compose sentences without being burdened by actual handwriting. By the end of the 1st grade year, they are composing entire paragraphs without having to physically write them.

 

In the Threads section of the weekly plan, under "Threads: Writing" for All Levels and every week, you will find the notation:

 

Make sure your child writes every week![/Quote]

 

This was what I was referring to with my comments.

 

 

The particular activity with the word bank, I find, is a little different in that it relates to grammar. I don't follow it as is because Adrian is writing paragraphs and stories through Horizons Phonics. He has also used some of the ETC half books and has had to unscramble sentences. Also, we are using FLL through which he is getting the parts of speech (albeit slowly ;)) and next year I am also adding Shurley English (will not be using the writing component here, just grammar) and Spalding which we will definitely be using for spelling (very likely not the grammar component here but not sure yet). What I am getting at and what I love about TOG and the main reason why I chose it is, I can cater to my kids' needs and their abilities at any given time :). TOG serves my needs as their teacher and their needs at their level, it is why with TOG I know I have found a keeper :D.

[Guest]

I forgot to add here that I am using this activity with the word bank just as an intro to the parts of speech we have not covered yet, and will be covering further through our other programs :). That's just what works for me of course. Everyone works things out based on what works for their family and the goals they set for their own kids.

[Georgiana Daniels]

Thanks for the additional information! I didn't realize there was so much to it. And if it can be tailored to my 6 year old then I'm giving it a second look.

 

Thanks!

 

Oh, 1 more question about WA:

 

Does it have anything like "official" copy work or dictation, or is that something you do from what they provide?

[Guest]

Thanks for the additional information! I didn't realize there was so much to it. And if it can be tailored to my 6 year old then I'm giving it a second look.

 

Thanks!

 

Oh, 1 more question about WA:

 

Does it have anything like "official" copy work or dictation, or is that something you do from what they provide?

 

Georgiana, it is what I love about it. Like everything else with TOG, you can use what you want and tailor or exclude what you know will not work for your child. Adrian, through exposure has learned to structure sentences (via ETC and Horizons) but does not know all the parts of speech or specific mechanics yet. He is doing it based on what sounds right or not, empirically. I am using this activity to just introduce the parts of speech we have not yet covered at this level. Depending on where we are at next year, I may or may not use it but it makes no difference since we will be getting all that from Shurley English and FLL. You will see what you need to cover and where you will chose to cover each area.

 

I will never use WA as the only writing program. We will be heading the Classical Writing way at some point and I will then have to decide how I will proceed between WWE and CW. In any case, WA will be there through the years as an added resource helping me reinforce areas or target areas I feel we still need to work on. This is how I intend to use WA for us.

 

To answer your questions, so far I have not come across assigned copywork or dictation at this level. Through the Draw and Caption activities your child has the opportunity to narrate something he has learned from the reading (much like the Day 2 and Day 4 WWE activities) and then depending on the child's level they can either write it directly or you can write it on the board for them and they can copy it. Since we are also using WWE, I just let Adrian write his sentence(s) directly, helping him where needed and erasing and correcting spelling etc. In your case you will cater to meet your child's needs and ability if you choose to go that route. HTH.

Edited March 29, 2011 by Guest

[Georgiana Daniels]

It does help. THanks!

[Tracy]

Oh, 1 more question about WA:

 

Does it have anything like "official" copy work or dictation, or is that something you do from what they provide?

 

I understand that WA schedules narration at the beginning and then encourages you to continue on your own after that. I am sure that there is no copywork, and I don't think there is every any dictation.

[Georgiana Daniels]

I understand that WA schedules narration at the beginning and then encourages you to continue on your own after that. I am sure that there is no copywork, and I don't think there is every any dictation.

 

Narration is always the one I forget about.

 

We do have FLL1 and ABeka. Maybe between the 3 of those we'll have a total program. The ABeka writing is weak, and FLL is so repetitive (but effective so I guess we could skip.) LOL, maybe it's just the fact I love ToG and wanted to see if I was missing out by not having it.

[Tracy]

Narration is always the one I forget about.

 

We do have FLL1 and ABeka. Maybe between the 3 of those we'll have a total program. The ABeka writing is weak, and FLL is so repetitive (but effective so I guess we could skip.) LOL, maybe it's just the fact I love ToG and wanted to see if I was missing out by not having it.

 

I think that it is worthwhile to have TOG. But I wouldn't recommend it for LG until you have at least a year of TOG under your belt--just to make sure that you know you will continue with TOG before spending the money on WA. I do really like WA for logic and rhetoric stages, especially because it has detailed definitions of each type of writing and grading rubrics for each, making it a great resource even for those that are not using TOG.

 

I am not the type to mix and match programs (at least not yet :)), so I am tabling WA until writing and composition is less painful for dd.

[TracyP]

Draw and caption is narration. It is scheduled almost every week in Year One but less in Year Two. We have just continued draw and caption weekly whether it is scheduled or not. Starting at level 3 (I think) it says take dictation daily on the first couple weeks but then doesn't continue to remind you.

[TracyP]

I think that it is worthwhile to have TOG. But I wouldn't recommend it for LG until you have at least a year of TOG under your belt--just to make sure that you know you will continue with TOG before spending the money on WA. I do really like WA for logic and rhetoric stages, especially because it has detailed definitions of each type of writing and grading rubrics for each, making it a great resource even for those that are not using TOG.

 

I am not the type to mix and match programs (at least not yet :)), so I am tabling WA until writing and composition is less painful for dd.

 

:iagree:I just wanted to add to my previous post that everything there could EASILY be done w/o WA if you choose to wait.

[Guest]

It does help. THanks!

 

You're welcome :).

 

I am not the type to mix and match programs (at least not yet :)), so I am tabling WA until writing and composition is less painful for dd.

 

It was why I said you meet your child where he/ she is at. You are using TOG with a younger child than I ;).

 

Draw and caption is narration. It is scheduled almost every week in Year One but less in Year Two. We have just continued draw and caption weekly whether it is scheduled or not.

 

:iagree:Some weeks you can have more than one Draw and Caption, in Year 1. I liked the activity so much that I use it for other subjects also :).

 

I just wanted to add here, this is why TOG is so great. You can choose what works for you and exclude what you feel does not :). When we moved back to Greece I was in grade 5 so I am not sure about the younger grades. We did copywork, narration and dictation all through elementary. Writing however starts at an early level there, at least it used to when I went to school there. Writing can be done before and after you have the mechanics down. I find that if the child has been writing at his/ her own level all along, when they finally get to the mechanics for how to do it it will make more sense, but that's just my point of view of course ;). Now I am curious about what they do in the Greek school system these days. I think I will have my parents find out when I speak to them next. It is where the classical approach to education originated after all :).

Edited March 29, 2011 by Guest

[Georgiana Daniels]

That is a good point--we are still quite new to ToG. Although I can't see us switching out of it, perhaps we don't need it STAT. LOL, always much to ponder.

[Georgiana Daniels]

Now I am curious about what they do in the Greek school system these days. I think I will have my parents find out when I speak to them next. It is where the classical approach to education originated after all :).

 

That is so cool! You get firsthand accounts of how it's done elsewhere. Probably great information to filter through and use as you need.

[Guest]

That is so cool! You get firsthand accounts of how it's done elsewhere. Probably great information to filter through and use as you need.

 

It is really more out of curiosity that I want to know than anything else ;). Don't think for a moment that the Greek school system has not come away from the old philosophies of education. My father was educated in Greece many many years ago the old school way and I just want to compare. I find it interesting to know these things. I am just weird that way :tongue_smilie:.

[Guest]

That is a good point--we are still quite new to ToG. Although I can't see us switching out of it, perhaps we don't need it STAT. LOL, always much to ponder.

 

Well, one thing you can do is just check out the writing assignments for the year and determine which you want to use. WA is not used that much at the LG level, it is true. Checking for yourself will help you determine when and if you will need it :).