RoxanneB Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 We are on Week 26 of Writing With Skills Level 1. My son HATES this book. I LOVE it. His writing has improved, and I know he's getting amazing foundational skills. It's awesome. Except for the fact that he hates it. Anyway, I'm determined to continue with this excellent curriculum because I know it will be great for his future. Or should I be so determined? He's in the 6th grade and is actually already a very, very good writer. He is a fantastic speller and knows his advanced grammar inside and out. Since he detests WWS 1 so much (too mechanical rather than creative, maybe?), should I go with Level 2 or move to my other thought, which would be the Middle School version of the "One Year Adventure Novel" called "Cover Story Writing." (Here's the link: http://www.coverstorywriting.com/) If he would just get on board with WWS2, it was be so great for him with the level of college/life preparation that I see that it is. BUT, I don't want him to end up hating writing altogether. Thoughts, please? Roxanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My3girls Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 I think the basics are vital so we are sticking with WWS. However, we will be doing a creative writing curriculum between WWS1 and 2 over the summer. Can you look at a creative writing curriculum and alternate so that you are doing both? My dd11 hates grammar, but I told her she's just going to have to suck it up because somethings are necessary whether you like it or not. It's hard for an 11 year old to see the big picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hollyberry Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 We're doing both programs - Cover Story and WWS and it's working because they are very different programs, one creative, one expository. Ds11 loves Cover Story and hates WWS but we are persevering as I feel WWS is building the foundation that he will need later on. I haven't seen his dislike of WWS effect his overall feelings about writing but he is getting the creative outlet with the other program so maybe that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoxanneB Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share Posted October 31, 2013 Thank you both. I agree. The WWS program is so awesome in the skills that are presented. I know that it is a great foundation. My3Girls, I'm with you on the "suck it up" and 11yo's not seeing the big picture. That's what they have us for LOL! I'm thinking that having the creative side mixed in should dilute some of the hatred (I hope!). My plan is to finish Level 1 (which will be in mid-January) and then use The Creative Writer (which was on Peace Hill Press and makes me assume that Susan Wise Bauer "approves" it) for the rest of the school year. I'll evaluate at that point to see where we'll go. Hollyberry, how are you combining the two programs? All at the same time or some sort of alternating pattern? I like the idea of doing both concurrently. I'm also considering Cover Story. What have you liked and disliked about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hollyberry Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 We alternate with two days per week for each program. Cover Story has three distinct components: daily journalling, grammar, and the core magazine project. We're currently working on only the main program (magazine). Video lessons work great for us; we also use this delivery method for math. The videos are high quality, short, engaging and humorous. The assignments don't feel like filler as it's all part of a bigger project of creating a magazine. The examples used are relatable and the writing tips given are easily applied. As far as dislikes, we dropped the journalling component early on as it was just not engaging my son and I didn't feel we needed it. Students select a theme for their magazines at the beginning of the program and all assignments relate to their selected theme. Some students may not enjoy writing about one subject for such a long period of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 I'd jump ship and give Cover Story a chance. Hands down. CS has great reviews, and is more creative kid friendly. WWS is not the only path to good writing, and anything that replaces "HATES" with peace in my homeschool is a very good thing. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 We have done WWS1 and WWS2. I can't imagine if your son doesn't like WWS1 that WWS2 would go over one bit better. Is there a reason you think 2 will be better liked than 1? And WWS2 is very much a continuation of WWS1, it builds on the same skills, refers back to things done in WWS1 etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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