online writing class for 7th grader?

[Halcyon]

Hi! I am looking for an online writing class for my average-writer son. In particular, we are looking for live weekly webinars, weekly (or more frequent) assignments, focused and useful feedback and rewriting of drafts and deadlines.

 

I am looking at:

 

1) home2teach

2) write@home

3) landry academy note-taking intensive (will likely take this as an "extra" since DS is interested in learning how to take better notes)

4) vaguely looking at Potter School but looks too rigorous

5) attuneup--too Christian? I emailed her as it's unclear how the course is run.

 

We are leaning towards home2teach right now. My son submitted a writing sample which I wasn't allowed to even peek at, and it turns out he didn't write a long enough sample according to the directions on the site. Doh. So we'll see what they say about that. Has anyone taken courses with any of these sites?

[scrapbabe]

I'm very much interested in what others have to say.

[dereksurfs]

Hi Halcyon!  Long time no talk.  I see your son is still using TC 'and' AoPS.  Wow, that sounds like a pretty intense combo.

 

Our son is in the same boat (average writer, looking for something for next year) and so we are actually researching similar things.  Only ds13 will be starting high school next year.  So I posted questions on the high school forum and got some great BTDT input which we are exploring further.  I'll provide the links in case you haven't seen them yet.  I know your son is younger.  But many times there is cross over between 8th and 9th grade writing courses/programs:

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/542164-high-school-writing-program-options/

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/541323-brave-writer-supplemental-or-complete-program/

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/542232-lost-tools-of-writing-experiences/?p=6189469

 

So far we are considering both online classes and curriculum my wife would teach at home.  We've heard great things about LToW including one of the best approaches to deriving quality content or invention and developing a style or elocution.  A great read is the comparison which Ruth made of many of the primary programs here:  http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/348864-my-evaluation-of-numerous-writing-curricula/

 

Here is one of the LToW online classes available: http://coramdeotutorials.com/courses/introduction-to-essay-writing/

[TianXiaXueXiao]

Following.

[Halcyon]

Hi Halcyon!  Long time no talk.  I see your son is still using TC 'and' AoPS.  Wow, that sounds like a pretty intense combo.

 

Our son is in the same boat (average writer, looking for something for next year) and so we are actually researching similar things.  Only ds13 will be starting high school next year.  So I posted questions on the high school forum and got some great BTDT input which we are exploring further.  I'll provide the links in case you haven't seen them yet.  I know your son is younger.  But many times there is cross over between 8th and 9th grade writing courses/programs:

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/542164-high-school-writing-program-options/

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/541323-brave-writer-supplemental-or-complete-program/

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/542232-lost-tools-of-writing-experiences/?p=6189469

 

So far we are considering both online classes and curriculum my wife would teach at home.  We've heard great things about LToW including one of the best approaches to deriving quality content or invention and developing a style or elocution.  A great read is the comparison which Ruth made of many of the primary programs here:  http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/348864-my-evaluation-of-numerous-writing-curricula/

 

Here is one of the LToW online classes available: http://coramdeotutorials.com/courses/introduction-to-essay-writing/

 

 

Thanks so much for these links. Will peruse today.

 

Right now, we are going to start out a one month trial with writeguide.com and see if he likes it. I also want to do attuneup but not sure if doing both concurrently would be smart. Oh, and re the math: DS hasnt started AoPS yet.--the course starts next week, but he will continue to do TC Geometry and work at his project-based school. SO yea, a lot of math, which he loves.

 

With me working, I think I really need to outsource as much as possible--he's really responsible when taking outsourced classes, so that's a good thing. We have TC math, AoPS, Derek Owens for science, now writeguide and/or attuneup and history on his own, spanish with me. 

 

Off to peruse the links!

[dereksurfs]

That sounds good, Halcyon.  I'm discovering through all this research that there are a number of good options for middle and high school students.  Some families even combine several programs either at different times or together.  I may use a combination like this as well.  I'm thinking more of one program followed by another for now anyway.  I'm also also seeing the benefits of outsourcing in having a third party who is trusted speak into the lives of our children as they grow and discover their world

 

To be honest writing has never been my strength.  I'm more of a math/science guy, naturally anyway.  But I can't help but see the value in developing good writing skills even in STEM careers.  Many times engineers are called upon to document the work they do.  In addition college students need to write many papers while in school regardless of major.  So I'm trying to research these areas to a greater extent now.  Of course my wife does a good job with them and makes up for some of my shortcomings.  But I'm the research nut of the family. :tongue_smilie:   

 

I'm glad to see you are finding solutions that work for your son and your schedule. That project based program he is in sounds like something you were looking for as well.